Bar-Os has not been mentioned for ages, mostly due to the fact that he has been unwell. He had a couple of months off over the Winter whilst I was busy with BVC and he's also had a cough since March that started off badly and has slowly improved. There were no other symptoms of illness, no loss of appetite (that'll be the day!), no raised temperature, just an awkward raspy cough that has resulted in my being unable to ride him. The vet has seen him on occasions and recommended that he be rested until better. In the meantime, Bar-Os has somewhat prematurely decided that he has given up work as a bad job and has been a bit of a handful to say the least. Usually a steady sort of chap, he's decided somewhere along the line (during his hols) that he's a speed merchant and tomorrow I have the unenviable task of taking him out for ride. The thing is, when he's a bit miffed he likes to do 'Irish dancing', he sort of doesn't go anywhere much, but dances on the spot very quickly, all four legs going like bees wings. A gentle squeeze to coax him forward usually results in a 'how very dare you' response and a tantrum. Tomorrow, my main objective is to sit quietly in the saddle, ignore the laughing from Barman and to elegantly and gracefully walk out of the yard into the countryside - a picture of 'oneness' with my horse - yeh right ok, I'll settle for staying on board for the duration and looking like a rag doll at the end of it, but still astride.
I'm already back in the saddle, so to speak, with the BVC. In fact due to pupillage applications and also researching a complex legal issue for a relative involving Lawful Development Certificates, I've not had much of a break and my 'day job' has also been keeping me busy too. Today I'm catching up on paperwork, interspersed with the delights of learning all about Part 36 Offers. I'm sure that they are probably quite easy to understand in practice, but sat reading all about them is a little baffling to say the least.
The days seem to be flying past and I've much to do before I go back to 'school' in September. All efforts to improve my bank balance have so far failed and I can't believe how impecunious I am. This I feel is because of the multi-tasking required when studying part-time, and the way that it impacts upon working life, everything gets a little neglected.
Having only sat 4 exams this year, I admit to feeling quite apprehensive about next year and the 8 remaining Bar exams, which I suppose is what has prompted me into an early resumption of studies. One thing is for sure, I will be extremely pleased to get next year over and done with and to finally complete BVC. Not that I haven't enjoyed most of it, but it is an extremely stressful existence and it demands a great deal of time and effort. Electives keep springing to mind, and as of yet I'm completely undecided what 2 subjects to choose. Nothing has been mentioned about them to date, so I'm assuming that we will receive some guidance on them before we choose. I'm thinking that Judicial Review will be quite useful because of my subject interests in environmental and quasi criminal law. Perhaps the Advanced Criminal Litigation module too? Would those of you who have already completed BVC care to tell what you liked/didn't like about your electives?
7 comments:
Hey BM
Good to hear from you - hope O's is ok. Don't wish the BVC over, belive me. Being called has been UNEXPECTEDLY depressing for me (everyone loved it but i have been MISERABLE for about 3 days, as now i just feel that 5 year clock ticking :)
As for options, do whatever you think you will get the best marks in - subjects you have already done at undergrad for example. Sets don't care what you do as its only six weeks, what you want is to get your place as high as possible in the order of merit, which i am sure you are well on your way to doing!!
Hi LG, well done on being called, I'm sure you'll go the extra mile and secure pupillage given time and can then look back on call with more joy.
It's a shitty system and made more difficult by the current economic climate, but I guess it's the same for everyone and it's a matter of hanging on in there for that elusive pupillage?
I studied JR during LLB, it was a bit dry and we went into it in quite some detail, so maybe that one is a contender.
BM, Just to be certain, Bar-Os is your horse isn't he, and its not your hubby? I had all sorts of visions reading your thread, and feel more than a little confused, and concerned for his well being too.
Lucky you having done 2 exams and only 8 to go. We only did 2, so 10 to go. Whoopee.
No idea with options. We haven't had any mention of them, but I do know the deadline for deciding. Thats useful. Deadline and no information.
Swiss
Swizzle - Bar-Os is my horse, which is why I speak so fondly of him:-) I know that we country bumpkins are 'different', but a hubby with 4 legs and Irish dancing? Royston Vassey at its best:-)
I'm thinking of asking if it might be possible to design our own specialist BVC electives - I'd quite like to do a 'crochet your own barristers gown from left-overs' elective.
I think there is a Liberty option which a friend at the BPP did and very much enjoyed. I did Advanced Criminal Litigation at City and it was my favourite course all year - which isn't saying much but it was v interesting. I'd have done judicial review if I was at BPP, but then that's down my public law/immigration alley of interests!
LG makes a v good point about grades- but frankly, I'd just go with whatever you think you'll enjoy more seeing as I don't think (I mean I hope) grades don't count all that much. In any case I've always done better in subjects I liked, that seems a pretty common state of affairs?
Hey BM
I've just finished the BVC at BPP (although I did it full time). The options are by far the most interesting bit of the course - I did employment & family, and both provided a very useful (but basic) insight into areas of law and procedure I'm going to have to know in autumn for pupillage. My only bits of advice are these:
1. Choose something you enjoy. You get only about 7 SGSes to do it all in, and frankly that won't be much help for practice other than to serve as an introduction. The reality is that in pupillage you'll do a bit of just about everything - so your research skills will be called upon a lot! All the options will do for you is short cut the preliminary bits of research.
2. Look at *how* the option is assessed. If you hate opinion-writing, don't do things like property & chancery or company which are assessed by opinions. If, like me, you were good at negotiation and conference, then pick the options that involve those. (The assessment criteria are re-balanced for the options, more towards the advice / result, but you need to be comfortable with the mechanism for scoring points - i.e. the mode of assessment.) Advanced Criminal (this year) had conference and some advocacy (application) ... so find out how the options are assessed, and factor that in...
Have fun!!
Thanks for that Chris, much food for thought.
I suppose I ought to wait until the 2nd year is well underway, it's too early to tell whether I'll be better at the written or oral skills having only sat 4 exams to date.
Good luck with pupillage!!!
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