Sunday 9 December 2007

Work For Idle Hands

Or indeed the hands of the not so idle. Just when I thought that things were easing up I find myself busy again due to the extreme busyness of the rest of chambers. One of the junior tenants is doing some devilling for one of the senior juniors and is a bit under the gun so has asked me to have a go at a first draft - and has agreed to slip me such portion of his devilling fee as reflects the usefulness of what I produce. Now this could be nothing at all (as he so delicately put it!) but it is nice of him to suggest it as he knows full well that I would normally be expected to do any work for members of chambers for nothing anyway.

So, I guess that means that I am devilling for a devil. And in this case the term is rather apt - because the task at hand is to come up with as many arguments - no matter how technical, obscure, without merit or indeed downright evil - as I can think of in order to stall progress of the litigation in question while the Other Side busy themselves with analysing and responding to our unmeritorious points.

I must admit that this is not exactly the wielding of the "simple sword of truth and the trusty shield of honesty" that I had had in mind when I first dreamed of becoming a barrister (hang on, wasn't that Jonathan Aitken? Well - you know what I mean). All the same it is rather fun dreaming up points when not hindered by them having to be good ones. I hope that some of them at least raise a chuckle with the devil for whom I am devilling.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah. The Devil Devil's Advocate. Interesting!!

Mr Pineapples said...

this is all such bollix....all made up cobblers....bit like Ricky the Hatman Hatton...just smoke...and hype.

Troubled barrister said...

Lack of judgment by this MOC, I seem to remember there is a rule develling isnt allowed in the first six.

Paranoid Pupil said...

Hmmm, sounds as if I should tell him that I can't accept any part of his fee in case there is a risk of falling foul of Bar Code of Conduct but that I appreciate the suggestion. In any event, he'll probably re-draft everything anyway.

Anonymous said...

*Wails* O PP where art thou?! Have you disappeared down the long dark tunnel of pupillage, never to see the light of day until the tenancy decision?!?!?

Android said...

I hope your devilling went well. Seeing that you disappeared suddenly! :o

Adam said...

Hi PP,

I'm currently writing a feature article about blawgs for www.LawCareers.Net and I'm going to include yours. Just wanted to let you know. Be in touch if you'd like more info.

Thanks, Adam.

Paranoid Pupil said...

Thanks Adam - although I feel a little unworthy as I have been incommunicado for a long time. Am planning on getting up and running again soon, however!

Adam said...

Hi PP,

The feature is now online. Here's the link: http://www.lawcareers.net/Information/Features/Detail.aspx?r=1300

Thanks,