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15 May 2008 / Jennifer James
Issue: 7321 / Categories: Features , Legal services , Procedure & practice , Profession
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Life is a roller-coaster

Jennifer James turns the tables on her judicial colleagues…and exposes some idiosyncrasies of the system

The Insider has not previously written about sitting as a deputy judge for fear of (at worst) contempt of court, or (at best) falling foul of the wise words imparted to me by my sweet silver-haired mother, namely, don't poop where you eat.

However, over the past few years it has become clear that the position has got its pros and cons, and I can write about these in (hopefully) sufficiently vague terms so as not to awake the Kraken or anybody else at the Ministry of Justice. Here goes.

The Balanced Approach

Pro: Most of the full-time costs judges can hopefully sympathise with me in this heat wave as they have worn stockings, even though they are men. This is of course thanks to the formal attire required for the annual Opening of the Legal Year festivities and only thanks to that. No, stop messing about.

Con: Several of them have better legs than me.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Specialist associate solicitor rejoins Muckle’s leading employment team

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Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
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The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
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