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Circulated FREE to Barristers’ Clerks in the United Kingdom HEALTH WARNING: This magazine contains comments that may disturb the bar PAGE 3 IBC Report PAGE 11 Complaints PAGE 22 The Algarve PAGE 25 Time Trials ISSUE 79 - JUNE 2008 WWW.CLERKSROOM.COM/MAGAZINE Has your firm spoken to advantage yet about joining one of the Legal Buying Groups and massively reducing your office supplies overhead? If not.. call us today to receive details and information of how you can introduce an innovative new supply system that will reduce costs and save time throughout the year. Why choose us as your one supplier? Lower costs Save on purchase price and eliminate hidden costs. Flexible ordering Work with us to create an effective, efficient ordering system that’s perfect for you. Dedicated service One source, one solution means you can focus on the success of your business. Superb choice Choose from over 30,000 product lines, all available from just one supplier. Fax: 0845 370 3501 E-mail: [email protected] www.advantageoss.com Tel: 0845 370 3500

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Page 1: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

C i r c u l a t e d F R E E t o B a r r i s t e r s ’ C l e r k s i n t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m

HEALTH WARNING:This magazine contains comments that may disturb the bar

PA G E 3IBC Report

PA G E 1 1Complaints

PAGE 22The Algarve

PAGE 25Time Trials

I S S U E 7 9 - J U N E 2 0 0 8

W W W . C L E R K S R O O M . C O M / M A G A Z I N E

Has your firm spoken to advantage yet about joining one of theLegal Buying Groups and massively reducing your office suppliesoverhead?

If not.. call us today to receive details and information of how youcan introduce an innovative new supply system that will reducecosts and save time throughout the year.

Why choose us asyour one supplier?

Lower costsSave on purchase price and eliminatehidden costs.

Flexible orderingWork with us to create an effective, efficient ordering system that’s perfectfor you.

Dedicated serviceOne source, one solution means youcan focus on the success of your business.

Superb choiceChoose from over 30,000 product lines,all available from just one supplier.

Fax: 0845 370 3501 E-mail: [email protected]

www.advantageoss.com

Tel: 0845 370 3500

Page 2: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

E D I T O R ’ S P A G E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 9

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES TO:[email protected]

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES TO:[email protected]

This edition of the Clerksroom Magazine has been kindly supportedby the following companies:

Advantage Office Supply Systems LtdUnit 10, Poole Hall Industrial Estate,Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH66 1ST.T: 0151 357 3500F: 0151 356 3459E: [email protected]

Corner House Design & Print LtdThe Old Chapel, Manchester Road,Carrington Village,Manchester M31 4BLT: 0161 777 6000F: 0161 777 6060E: [email protected]

It was good to see so many of you at the IBC Conference inBirmingham at the beginning of this month. By all accounts the Fridaynight was a good session!

I was also encouraged by some of your positive comments about the magazine

content. The present split between serious and light-hearted articles seems to be

going down well. We now have a clear policy of making the magazine download

version available on the last working day of the month. This allows us to trawl

through the legal websites and magazines during the course of the month and

highlight issues and topics that are likely to be of interest.

At this point I should issue a health warning. We don’t have the time or the space

in the magazine to cover every area of law that may be of interest. So please don’t

think to yourself, if it’s not in the Clerksroom Magazine, it does not affect me.

You’ll find later on in this edition a full report on the day out in Birmingham with a

few amusing photographs. As nobody approached me to rip the camera from my

hands, I’ll take it that I have permission to publish!

The Chairman of the Bar Council, Tim Dutton QC, brought everybody up-to-date on a

variety of topics.

As some of you are already aware, I’m adding an additional string to my business

bow. By the time you read this, I will have opened for Clerksroom in Taunton their

new office facilities at 64 Bridge Street Manchester. It is a mediation centre and suite

of offices. The services on offer are intended to complement not to compete with

Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for

everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re in the

area, please call in for a cuppa, or perhaps something a little stronger!

We are entering that phase of the year when everywhere is too hot, tempers are

short and the sporting action reaches a peak. Before you can say “Christiano who?”

we will be in the long vacation. The television has been dominated by wall to wall

football to be replaced by tennis and golf, and for those of you who have mastered

the art of watching paint dry, there’s always cricket. I take that back. “20twenty” has

an entertaining formula and the game is attracting some serious money. Enjoy your

summer.

If you have an idea or a story to tell, contact me via email to:[email protected].

Clerksroom Magazine is produced under licence by JAR Holdings Limited, 9 Old Coach Road,Kelsall, Cheshire CW6 0QL. 07734 995 902

Bob Moss

1

Page 3: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 93

The IBC Conference ReportThis year’s conference took place at the

International Conference Centre, Broad Street,

Birmingham. The well attended event had been

organised by Tony McDaid, Practice Director at

No 5 Chambers. A good number of the London

contingent had come up the night before and

clearly enjoyed themselves on their night out in

Birmingham.

On the theme of “Brave New World”, the keynote

speech was delivered by Tim Dutton QC, Chairman of

the Bar. In this and the next 2 editions we will report

on most of the important topics he talked about.

The rest of the morning was taken up with an open

forum moderated by Gary Brown, attending for the first

time in his capacity as Chairman of the IBC.

The panel consisted of:

• Tim Dutton QC, Chairman of the Bar

• HHJ David Brunning, who had retired the day before

• Sophie Shotton of 15 New Bridge Street Chambers

• David Goddard of 4 Stone Buildings

• Joe Pickersgill of Park Court Chambers

• Nick Rees of One Crown Office Row

The panel handled a variety of questions, some of which

were directed to them by the handheld audience

participation system. The delegates made full

use to air their views and provide a digital show of

hands to give an accurate response.

...continued on page 4

Delegates arriving for the conference

Delegates preparing for the conference

Tony McDaid

opening the

conference

Page 4: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 94

Most delegates took the opportunity at lunchtime to

take a stroll round the exhibition hall, and a

significant number tested out the Inquisita Law Time

Trial Challenge. This was the first time the conference

had been provided with some interactive entertainment,

which went down well. There is a separate report on

the trials later in this edition.

After lunch, the delegates were kept on their toes with

more interactive initiatives provided by Will Kintish on

the topic of “How to get all the clients you want in a

shrinking market”. Mr Kintish is a leading UK expert in

networking skills and well known to some Chambers.

There is a separate report on his session with some

interesting photographs.

...continued from page 3

Former IBC Chairman Declan Redmondenjoys the relaxed atmosphere withEmma Makepeace and Mark Rushton

The forumpanel

Part of the team from St Phillips relax at lunchtime

Page 5: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 96

What Makes 2 Clerks Tick?

When did you start working in Chambers and in

what capacity?

Alex Taylor – as a junior clerk in July 1979 at Fountain

Court when I was known as Mark for 2 weeks and then

John for the remainder of my 9 years here first time

around.

Mark Watson – as a junior clerk in 1974 (that’s right

seventy four!)

Why did you become a clerk?

Alex Taylor – had the offer of a football apprenticeship

at Fulham FC, various jobs at city banks and insurance

companies, but went for every school boy’s dream of a

junior clerk position at a leading commercial chambers.

Fountain Court Chambers have been shortlisted for the Lawyer awards 2008 Chambers of the Year. Nodoubt all at Fountains Court are delighted to be on the shortlist, so we asked Alex Taylor, appointed asDirector of Clerking in April this year, to answer the usual questions. In a typical team player response,

Alex said “Having only been here since 31st March I feel a bit of a fraud accepting the glory for ournomination so have taken the liberty of providing joint answers with Mark Watson, the Senior Clerk.

Hope this is ok.” Two views for the priced of one!

Mark Watson – I was a bright spark and was offered a

job as an apprentice electrician, but accepted the offer

of a post at Fountain Court.

So far what has been your best moment in

Chambers?

Alex Taylor – getting asked to come back to Fountain

Court in the newly created position of Director of

Clerking. My leaving party at Old Square Chambers was

pretty mad too.

Mark Watson – being appointed Senior Clerk and also

winning the inter building 5 aside competition. I was

presented with the trophy by my Senior Clerk at the

time – Cyril Batchelor.

...continued on page 8

Mark Watson Alex Taylor

Page 6: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 98

What has been your worst moment inChambers?Alex Taylor - Dropping 8 pints of milk in the entrance toFountain Court Chambers on 1st August 1979 andhaving to clear it up. Never recoveredMark Watson – there aren’t any I’m pleased to say. Thedeath of a former Silk was pretty devastating though.

Who has been the greatest influence on yourcareer? Alex Taylor – lots of people. Mum and Dad of course,David Hemley (my first Senior Clerk), Joan Hall /Garforth, Mark Watson and the Team Leaders at OldSquare Chambers (you know who you are).Mark Watson – Jimmy Greaves and of course thelegendary Cyril Batchelor.

How did your Chambers come to be shortlistedfor the Lawyer awards?Alex Taylor – because we are sheer class. Mark will beable to answer this better than me.Mark Watson - I think we deserved to be there, but askThe Lawyer!

What irritates you the most?Alex Taylor – People sniffing, bad manners, laziness,ignorant drivers when I’m riding my bike – best stop here.Mark Watson – people who argue for the sake of it.

What is the best aspect of the job?Alex Taylor – haven’t worked that one out yet! Beingthe ‘gaffer’ at one of the most prestigious sets in thecountry must rank up there though.Mark Watson – Job satisfaction and reaching Fridayevening knowing that I have had a successful week at work.

What is the worst aspect of the job?Alex Taylor - haven’t worked that one out yet either!Learning a new computer system ranks highly though,

particularly as I hadn’t mastered the previous one Iused for 14 years.Mark Watson – people who are not willing to workwith to achieve the best result to a problem.

What is your best characteristic, clerking orotherwise?Alex Taylor – my smile. I don’t know. What a daftquestion.Mark Watson – having a good memory, particularlywhen it comes to working out who is buying the nextround!

Do you have any bad habits?Alex Taylor – no patience. Mind you, I bet people I haveworked with here and elsewhere could fill pages aboutme on this!Mark Watson – loads!

Your favourite film star?Alex Taylor – Robert de Niro. Al Pacino and Bruce Leearen’t bad either. Bobby Moore and Pelé in “Escape toVictory”Mark Watson – Ray Winstone.

Your favourite holiday location?Alex Taylor - La Residencia, Deia, Majorca. Anywhereaway from work.Mark Watson – Portugal.

So what makes a clerk tick?Alex Taylor – Drive, ambition, determination, initiative,thick skin, plenty of energy and good health.Mark Watson – a regular heart beat.

If you had not gone into clerking, what wouldyou have become?Alex Taylor – not sure I want your readers to know this.Mark Watson – Electrician.

...continued from page 6

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Page 7: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 911

On 11th June 2008 the Bar Standards Board issued a

press release to publicise the outcome of their

consultation on changes to the way in which

complaints about barristers and any subsequent

disciplinary proceedings are handled. The steering

group, chaired by Sue Carr QC, expressed their delight

at the outcome. The review made 65 recommendations

for improvements, all of which were accepted in

principle by the BSB, subject to the results of public

consultation on key aspects. The following main

decisions have been made:

A new mechanism to deal with cases of

professional misconduct

The BSB will introduce “determination by consent”

(DBC). This will be a new process allowing the

complaints committee to adjudicate on allegations of

misconduct without the need for any formal hearing,

provided the barrister agrees.

Revise the composition of the complaints

committee

The BSB will gradually re-balance the composition of

the complaints committee from the current makeup of

54 barristers and 12 lay persons to 38 barristers and 24

lay persons. This should take 4 years to work through

to full implementation. The committee felt it was

important to get the balance right.

Hearings and tribunals

In light of overwhelming support, the BSB will

streamline the hearings and tribunal processes resulting

in a single disciplinary tribunal jurisdiction.

Flexibility in sentencing

There is to be a greater range of sentencing options for

the future. Suspended sentences, an increase in the

fine limit to £15,000, and an order to take and pass a

professional ethics test are all new options that will be

available to the disciplinary tribunal.

The Board has also concluded that while the concept of

improper behaviour remains valid, further thought

needs to be given to its general principles and to the

implications for the code of conduct before introduction

next year of the new system.

The BSB has also decided not to allow the complaints

commissioner to adjudicate on non-disciplinary

complaints in light of costs and the forthcoming transfer

of these complaints to the Office for Legal Complaints

in 2010.

The BSB have now started to undertake preparation of

the technical code needed to make all these changes.

Commenting, Ruth Evans, BSB Chair, said: “Dealing

efficiently and fairly with the small number of

complaints we have received against barristers is a core

duty of the Bar Standards Board. The changes we have

announced today will make a good system even

better”.

The Future Shape of Complaints

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 910

IBC Conference ReportThe Chairman’s View

1. Sets of chambers grow larger and more diverse with eachyear. In turn the job of clerking becomes more exacting,requiring ever higher standards of commitment andprofessionalism which we, and more significantly thewider public, are the beneficiaries.

2. When I spoke to you last year, I supported the initiative ofyour senior officers and indeed many members to movetoward making the Institute a true profession. There arealready many characteristics of clerking which are sharedby professions. What is required of a profession is thatevery member is bound by rules fashioned in the publicinterest and that members comply with those rules, and if

In the coming editions we reproduce with the kind permission of Tim Dutton QC extracts from his address to the delegates.

they do not they may be subject to disciplinary measures.Of particular significance, and this was the topic of lastyear’s discussion, is that a profession should maintain highstandards and that involves annual education programmesor CPD. I want to reiterate my support for the approachof the Institute towards development of CPD training.

3. There is one particular area where clerks rooms will in thecoming years need to develop ever more sophisticatedsystems. That is the area of conflict and confidentiality. Itis vital in the long term interests of our clients that wherebarristers within the same set of chambers are onopposite sides of the case, clients should be confident thatthere is absolutely no risk of information from one sidebeing put at risk. High quality information barriers arelikely to become a common place assuming that the Barmaintains its essential structure – that is of a referralprofession where the best advocates are available to allirrespective of their means. None of us should forgetwhether barristers, solicitors, or clerks that it is theinterests of the public which we serve and that we act inthe public interest providing an essential service in theinterests of justice. Contrary to common misconceptionsself interest features very low in the priorities of barristersand their clerks: we are predominantly driven by a desireto ensure that the clients interests are properly served, theright result is achieved in a way which is economical. Ourlow overheads, hard work ethic, very high technical andlegal skills combine to ensure that we provide the publicat large a very high quality advocacy and advisory service.Indeed it should be our primary objective to provide thehighest quality of service of any advocacy profession inthe world. I believe we do.

...continued on page 12

Page 8: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

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Our team is managed by Clare Meyrick a former clerk with experience of how Chambers operates.

Contact: Clare Meyrick on 0121 233 2335

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Cavendish House39 Waterloo StreetBirmingham B2 5PP

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 912

The issues facing the profession in 2008/09

4. There is no time when the Bar as a relatively small,specialist and expert profession is not facing a challenge.2008 is no exception! The essential message whichshould be delivered by this conference is that we willcollectively rise to the challenges which we face andovercome them. Before turning to the specific challengeswhich I am dealing with I want to say a few words aboutthe profession which we collectively serve and itsstanding.

The profession

5. Let me quickly remind you of the figures. We are 11,500barristers in self employment and about 3,500 inemployment. There are 127,000 solicitors. The legalprofession has in this country grown year on year. Growthin the publicly sector of the Bar has perhaps slowed downa little in recent years. However, year on year the figurestell us that the Bar has expanded.

6. The reason for this expansion is that we are living in anincreasingly complex society. One need only look at thefact that this Government has created 66 pieces of

criminal justice legislation in the last 10 years - more thanexisted in the previous 60 years. Under this Governmentthe prison population has risen from about 51,000 to inexcess of 80,000. Taking these two figures aloneindicates that we have increasingly complex body ofcriminal law which requires lawyers and advocates for anincreasing number of people who require representationfor their liberty is as risk. These two figures alonedemonstrate that strains created by increased legislativeactivity and penal policy of necessity would drive up thecost of legal aid. It is no surprise whatsoever that legal aidhas risen under this Government with its massivelegislative programmes of £1.6billion - £2.1billion overthat 10 year period. Again taking the matter very simply if60% more people were being put through the NationalHealth Service with serious illnesses (a medical equivalentof prison) then you would expect the NHS budget toincrease by a proportionate percentage. Viewed in theseterms the increase in the legal aid budget from £1.6billion- £2.1billion is not at all disproportionate. What mattersis that we as a profession take our part in ensuring thatour services to clients who are publicly funded areprovided to high standards, efficiently, and at no morethan optimum rates. These rates need to ensure that themost talented individuals are attracted into publiclyfunded work. Arbitrary cost cutting in family legal aid orin criminal legal aid could do the exact opposite of what isrequired in the public interest. It could lead to those mostin need either not receiving representation or receivingrepresentation of inadequate quality. As I warned in myinaugural speech on 10 December if imbalance is createdby improperly designed legal aid schemes we will be backto a pre-Victorian era of two tier justice. I can think ofnothing more distasteful in a justice system than ourfinding that those who are wealthy are able to obtainbetter representation than those who are poor and facingfamily breakup or the risk of imprisonment.

7. I am doing everything in my power as Chairman of theBar to work vigorously with our teams within the BarCouncil to prevent the creation of badly designed legal aidschemes or of erosion of legal aid. I am doing so guidedby two key principles. First, individuals are entitled toquality representation irrespective of their means. Secondthat we owe a responsibility as a profession not to createschemes which are inflationary or have perverseincentives. In other words, we owe a correlative duty toGovernment and society to assist them to create schemeswhich are stable and properly funded.

In the next edition the Chairman will look at public funding.

...continued from page 10

Page 9: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 915

How To Become A Confident and Effective Networker

The afternoon session, otherwise known as the“graveyard slot”, was filled at this year’s IBC conferencewith a sparkling performance by Will Kintish on thetopic “How to become a confident networker”.Contrary to what you might have thought from thefront cover photograph of this edition, Will did not sendhis audience to sleep. As the photographic evidence inthis article confirms, he used body language toemphasise his message as well as employing audienceparticipation at every opportunity.

By the end of the session, most of the audience hadgained lots of additional tips, techniques and ideas onhow to become more effective and confident whennetworking. They’d been shown how to work any roomwith increased self-confidence to ensure that you leavewith all the important contacts, as well as improvedpersonal skills to influence individual careeropportunities.

...continued on page 16

Some instantmarket researchfrom the delegates

Will Kintishlooking foraudienceparticipation

Gettinganimated

Page 10: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 916

Mr Kintish’s tips included suggestions on how to getbarristers to mix with guests at Chambers’ parties.The current scene is all too familiar where barristerscongregate in huddles in one part of the room and findit extremely difficult to socialise with solicitors.The art of working a room was explained in greatdetail, including a step by step guide to getting asolicitor’s business card and how to make a follow upapproach thereafter.

It is a shame there weren’t members of the Bar in theaudience as many of them would benefit from theunique style and approach brought to this topic by WillKintish. We all have the personal skills and personalitytraits required to become an effective networker, but werarely give a second thought as to how we are going toexecute a strategy to get the right results.

...continued from page 15

Waiting to be fed

Having a drink on stage with Emma Makepeace

Undivided attention

Praying for something?

Page 11: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 918

The Law Society excellence awards 2008

I wonder who is going to win Barrister of the Year.

This year’s awards sponsored by Mercedes Benz will

take place at the Awards Celebratory Dinner in London

on 23rd October 2008. The closing date for entries is

Friday 12th September 2008 and you can download an

entry form by visiting the Law Society’s website

www.lawsociety.org.uk/newsandevents/events/awards/

excellence.page. All the awards have an individual

sponsor except for Barrister of the Year! I wonder why?

Courts wireless connection goes live

Sixty-seven crown and combined courts are now

connected to a Wi-Fi network, available at signposted

zones in most publicly accessible areas. For a typical

crown court this will cover the advocates' assembly

room, the jury assembly suite, witness waiting area,

public concourse and cafeteria.

Barristers and solicitors will have wireless access to

email, legal reference material, and office networks

between cases. Jurors, victims and witnesses should

also have high speed broadband access, so they can

use the internet between court hearings.

The wireless equipment has been installed over the last

three years by BT Openzone. Funding has been

provided by the Court Service, which will receive a

percentage of the revenue generated.

The roll out follows pilot projects in eight courts - the

Royal Courts of Justice, the Central Criminal Court (the

Old Bailey), Southwark, Birmingham and Swansea

Crown Courts, and Winchester, Leeds and Liverpool

Combined Courts.

Something About Life at The Bar

Page 12: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

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Page 13: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 922

If you are based on the Algarve, the A22 motorway runsalmost the entire length of the Algarve coastline from theSpanish border in the east to beyond Portimão in the west,so everywhere is no more than an hour’s drive.

We play golf mostly at Val do Lobo [“Valley of the Wolves”]which has developed enormously over the last 30 years.The golf is priced high for non residents so the courses arenot worn out. But the real beauty is the stunning beachwhich stretches for miles. Park as close as you can to theseafront and then take a stroll through the main square tothe beach. Natural erosion has produced a ruggedcoastline and a signature hole for the Royal golf course. Ifyou are lucky you will play on the day a local scales the cliffface to sell you back your balls.

The beach front restaurants and night entertainment are anobvious attraction. The Restaurant Papagaio rightly claimsto offer “lazy afternoons and relaxing evenings overlookingthe Atlantic”. Their breakfasts are pretty good too!

If you’ve taken the trip to Val do Lobo, then you’ve almostcertainly driven through the town of Almancil which is nowbypassed by the EN125 road. On the road between the 2you’ll find a restaurant called Iberico run by DomingosNorton. He runs a tight but friendly ship offering somelocal dishes. Domingos will happily show you the fish youcan have cooked to order. I’ve never seen such big prawns,and I now have the secret ingredient that goes in thedessert “Oranges in Gran Marnier”. Whilst I’m sure this isnot the cheapest restaurant on the Algarve, it is probablyone of the best. Further details are atwww.restaurantiberico.com.

Sometimes driving through foreign towns you seeinteresting looking restaurants but never have the time orthe inclination to stop and try them out. Obviously it’spotluck, and just because you see the locals going indoesn’t necessarily mean the menu’s going to be kind onyour palate.

However, if you’re really hungry and are looking for a menuthat won’t severely test the digestive system, then youmight entertain the Lemon Tree in Almancil before you getback on the motorway. It’s nothing to look at from theroadside. However, as you might imagine from the name,there is a delightful courtyard with a lemon tree at the rearof the restaurant, and the hostess Ann is a friendly Scot. Asyou would expect from someone coming from north of theborder, the portions are big. Take at look atwww.lemontreealgarve.com.

Needless to say there are plenty of golf courses around, butthis part of Portugal has lots more to offer during thesummer holidays. Whatever you do, don’t come homewithout trying the chicken Peri Peri. Done properly, you’regoing to get sticky fingers, but it’s worth the lick!

If any of you are planning a golfing tour to the Algarve andneed a guide, I am available 24/7.

Heading For The Algarve?By the time you read this the school summer holidays will be a short blink away, and some of you will no doubt beheading for the Algarve and some well deserved sunshine. Out of season, this is serious golfing country. I’ve been

going with the same comrades for the last 4 years. However, you don’t have to be a golfer to appreciate some of theplaces, but you do need to hire a car.

By The Editor

Signature hole on the royal.

Page 14: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 925

Apparently, and it was only an unconfirmed rumour,none of the BBC’s Top Gear team turned up becausetheir leader Jeremy Clarkson had decided they shouldtravel up by canal barge. He had not realised the canalspeed limit really does not have any noughts after thesingle digit, and they worked out that keeping to thelimit and “barging through the night” they would havearrived sometime late on the following Mondaymorning.

The challenge still drew the crowds and proved asuccess. Ross Merison from Devereux Chambers tookpole position with the fastest time of 2:51:075 to winthe prize of a Single Seater Experience at Silverstone,home of the British Grand Prix.

Ross wins Time Trials at IBC

Perhaps Gill Butchard of butchardassociates can be the extra pair ofhands you need. She could

� Produce an analysis of Chambers’ business for you.

� Produce an analysis of individual barrister’s practices.

� Present you with a comparison of Chambers’ business between this year and last year, identifying trends in your client base or the areas of law that you specialise (dependant on what information you record on your system).

Do you have an AGM or an important Chambers’meeting coming up?

Do you need to produce management reports on thestate of Chambers’ business?

Are you snowed under and could do with some help?

For more info:See Gill’s website at www.butchards.co.uk

Email: [email protected] Tel: 0772 591 1320

Supplier review

Expenditure Analysis/Review

Management Reports

Database Management

Client Management

Marketing

Gill could also help you with:

Debt Collection

Holiday/Sick cover

Job Training

Procedural review

Business Review

www.butchards.co.uk

Gill ButchardPrincipal of Butchard Associates This year saw the introduction of some interactive light entertainment in the form of

the Inquisita Law Time Trial Challenge.

...continued on page 27

Josef Bromley at the wheel

The leader board

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A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 927

As the photos show there was keen interest in theleader board. Ross beat off good rounds by 2youngsters from No. 5. The helmetless Stig [aka “JosefBromley” in the photo] from St. Philips Chambersshowed a lot of guts and determination but still onlycame fifth.

Jonathan Hack Sales Director at InQuisita Lawsaid:

“The InQuisita Law Time Trial Challenge we ran at thisyear’s IBC Conference was closely related to the newstate of the art Barrister Time Billing functionality

available within our chambers management system. Asan established and unique provider in the sector, wehave always chosen to exhibit differently at the event,rather than simply showing our proven and popularsoftware, with this year being no exception”.

...continued from page 25

The Circuit

Page 16: Clerks Room June08 · Chambers, and we are hoping shortly to start an outdoor clerking service for everybody using the courts and tribunals in the centre of Manchester. If you’re

Court Diary ClerkVery busy RTA practice requires Clerk to organise our CourtDiary. Salary circa £30k to be offered to the right candidatewith suitable skills and experience.

Applications together with CV by e-mail to: [email protected]

Or by post to:Michael Gray, Practice ManagerArmstrongs Solicitors, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9HF

Armst rongs i s an equa l oppor tun i t i es emp loye r

A R T I C L E

J U N E 2 0 0 8 ~ I S S U E 7 929

Next important date for the calendar is Saturday 26th July.

This is the Inter Chambers Competition for TheBarristers Clerks Association Benevolent Cup to be heldat The Surrey National Golf Club. Tee off is at 12.30pmwith the dinner and presentations at 7pm.

The cost is a modest £250-00 per team.Clerks/members/guests are welcome in any four ball.Contact me by email to:

[email protected]

Here are just a few snapshots of the golfers taken earlier this year.

Eldon Golf ReportBy Charles Charlick

Michael Greenaway and

Michael Eves

Captain Alan Brewer with Alan Stammers

Alan with Billy Jennings

James Parks and Paul Bunting with

Alan Brewer and John Charlick

David Goddard being stoppedfrom buying a drink by Mark Watson