Another study weekend over. Despite working all hours to complete all of the homework set (well ok, 90% of it), I felt sure that I'd somehow wandered into the wrong educational institution, because I really didn't have much idea about what the hell the tutor's were talking about. This has left me feeling rather dejected on the academic side of things. I'm now even confused over the basic stuff, such as the maximum sentence (for more than one offence) that can be imposed by the Magistrates Court, which I thought was 65 weeks, but seems to be 6 months, according to our tutor. So, which figure do I go with, the one taken from Archbold Magistrates Court Practice or the tutor's?
Civil litigation was equally as confusing, which is odd, because I thought that I'd got to grips with it at home and had answered all of the questions set, but we didn't go through the homework much, so I have no idea whether my hours of study produced the right or wrong answers. We did previously unseen questions, which were ploughed through at such speed that I got lost and had to just sit there, confused and depressed.
On a brighter note, I enjoyed the first Conference class and Advocacy was really good too. No-one cares much how they do in any other class, but everyone wants to do well in Advocacy. My Plea in Mitigation last month was decidedly average and I was very disappointed in my performance, however this month I felt that I gave the Bail Application a good shot and my marks improved. I really do need to get to grips with my nerves though because they are affecting my voice. And why the hell can't I stand still? I do hope that I will gain confidence in Advocacy now , I really enjoy it, but do need to be a little less hesitant and dull.
No-one wanted to be first up for defence, so I opted, just to get it out of the way. Afterwards, it was really interesting to watch the others strut their stuff and I'm amazed just how different we all are in our styles and approaches to Advocacy. As of yet, there have been no divisions in my small group and everyone is very supportive of one another. As part-timers, we only meet once a month and it was soothing to know that others are finding it tough going too.
We have our first mock assessment later this month, it's on Legal Research:-(
Different groups have different questions, mine is family law, the one subject that I know absolutely nothing about, because I didn't do it during LLB. I've no idea what the answers to any of the legal problems contained in the question are, so will have to start from scratch. To date Legal Research is my nemesis and I'll be pleased when the module finishes early next year (unless I fail and will have to do re-takes later on). We haven't started Negotiation yet and I believe that it can be a tricky one. Opinions looks like it can be an awkward module too, it's so easy to go off at a tangent and end up with completely the wrong conclusion. My remedies knowledge is not too brilliant and this may well prove to be a hindrance with Opinion Writing exercises.
My pro bono has been neglected of late due to lack of time, but I'm off to London later this week to get another day's worth completed.
