Life's work: Workplace jargon

BARRISTERS

with respect

I am about to disagree

set of chambers

collection of barristers and their workplace

tenancy

membership of chambers

cracked trial

listed trial where the defendant changes plea to guilty before hearing

embarrassed

change of plea mid trial

silk

QC, ie a Queen's Counsel

to give 'certain advice'

advising a client

to sue their solicitor

bender

suspended sentence

take the red dressing gown

to be appointed to High Court bench

junior

any barrister not a QC

tail-end charlie

last defendent on an indictment

to devil

do the paperwork for a more senior barrister

plc

Proper London Counsel, ie London barrister

pupil

trainee barrister

squatting

time between being a pupil and having a tenancy

woodentop or beak

magistrate

papers

any written work

prime mover

main criminal

blag

criminal

carve a case

compromise or settle

my learned friend

opponent barrister

my friend

opponent solicitor

compiled by pascal wyse