Legally blonde: inside the courtroom

My observations from a day in the courtroom shadowing a Barrister are so far varied. The first noticeable factor is the sheer number of older white men who seem to dominate the courts. They are the barristers and the judges, and it’s not a bad thing. It’s just very male dominant. With any industry I wonder does a lack of representation, female and different ethnicities, stop people going into it. But then you can’t force people to be part of a profession they don’t want to be in. It’s a funny one.

The courtroom is not diverse in any sense. Typically it’s a lady who is the secretary, transcribing the court documents. My floral notebook and purple pen look incredibly out of place. It’s not about trying to be edgy or different, you can still be smart. There’s just nothing inspiring about the courtroom. That said the focus should be on the offences commuted and the outcome, not the decoration or design. There’s a lot of older white men as judges and barristers, which makes me wonder who the next generation is when these boys retire from the profession.

A lot of issues, however distant, relate back to finance. Families fall out of money time and time again and sadly this will be dragged through the system till the end of time. Try to avoid family disputes over money at all costs, because the court cost will undoubtedly be more than families can ever envisage.

The current set up for the court being eco friendly is far from ideal. The excessive use of plastic cups and bottles is not very no waste friendly or sustainable. The eco girlies won’t be happy. Also if you want to look super professional pour the water from the bottle into the cup, do not drink straight from the bottle.

Often I’d say the jury have a hard time determining their role. Assuming the role of juror is for you adjudicate, hear the evidence and decide based upon those selected facts what you believe or do not believe. The jury need to be reminded this is specifically a role and not to be detectives, you are not Sherlock Holmes protégés. The evidence does not need its admissibility questioned, what is in front of you has been chosen deliberately to be in front of you. Respect that.

I’m really curious about barristers' wigs; what are they made of and how on earth do they stay on? Can you re-curl them? Some were looking a little lacklustre sorry to say.

Barristers should be authoritative in what they’re saying and don’t rush. Always stick to your guns, that really helps. Apologise if you mislead the jury or say something wrong, that’s not fair and also makes your argument look clearer not in fact weaker as honesty is an admirable trait. The art of whispering is learnt and practiced, not inherited.

The Bible in a bag really made me smile, it looked so diy for a courtroom. In a place of professionalism and upholding the law it was sellotaped into a plastic sleeve. Not quite the look. The rest of the stationary is so randomly labelled and with the most bizarre stickers. It looks like the primary teaching assistant has had a field day (without a label maker).

Time passes really slowly, no expansion needed.