Pupillage 2022 Vacancy
We are offering one mixed pupillage in the areas of family and crime commencing in September 2022 for twelve months. Applications are to be submitted via the Pupillage Gateway (www.pupillagegateway.com).
We are looking for candidates with:
- Intellectual ability, advocacy skills and commitment to practising in the areas of family and crime;
- Integrity, enthusiasm and work ethic; and additionally
- Somebody who would fit into a busy regional chambers with the capacity to work effectively with colleagues, local solicitors, clients and Chambers’ staff
Download a copy of our Pupillage Policy, please see below.
Third Six Applications
We are a well established and busy regional set specialising predominantly in family and criminal law in East Anglia.
We are inviting applications for a third six pupil to join our busy set.
Applicants must have successfully completed, or be about to complete their pupillage but who have yet to secure a tenancy.
Applications in the form of a CV and covering letter should be submitted by email to hilaryokeefe@octagon-legal.co.uk
Changes at Octagon Legal
After 7 years of dedicated service as Head of Chambers, Christopher Fletcher is standing down and Chambers now has joint Heads in Robert Aldous and John Morgans.
A fond farewell
Andrew Lindqvist has retired after 47 years of successful and enjoyable practice at Octagon. We wish him a long and happy retirement.
Personal injury claim update
‘FUNDAMENTAL DISHONESTY’ in personal injury claims
On 13th April 2015 s.57 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 came into force.
It places an obligation upon the Court, on an application by the Defendant, to strike out personal injury claims that are found to be fundamentally dishonest.
Dismissal of the claim is mandatory unless the court is satisfied that the Claimant would suffer substantial injustice if the claim were dismissed.
Should the Court make such an Order it must record in the Order the amount of damages that would have been awarded but for the finding of fundamental dishonesty. However the Claimant will only pay the Defendant’s costs to the extent that they exceed the amount of damages recorded.
It will be interesting to see how the Courts will define ‘fundamentally dishonest’ and ‘substantial injustice’.
EMMA CATTERMULL
If you require assistance with any personal injury matter please email my clerk RobertGibson@octagon-legal.co.uk or call 01603 623186.
Public Law update – Question Time
The Family Justice Board for Norfolk and Norwich has invited Christopher Fletcher to sit on a Question Time session on 20th May 2015 at Olives (40 Elm Hill, Norwich, NR3 1HG) 4:30-6:30pm, with CPD accreditation. It will be an opportunity to discuss recent developments in family law. This follows a presentation on behalf of the Board in respect of Child Neglect given by Christopher and Jeremy Dugdale on 23rd March this year at the Airport Hotel.
Welcome to Emma Cattermull
Octagon Legal are pleased to announce to the arrival of Miss Emma Cattermull, formerly of East Anglian Chambers.
Emma is a well-established practitioner and has over 10 years of experience in both civil and family law matters.
Emma accepts instructions in a broad range of civil matters, please contact our Senior Clerk Robert Gibson on RobertGibson@octagon-legal.co.uk or call on 01603 623186 for more details.
Emma also has experience in private and public law cases and regularly acts for parents, grandparents, Guardians and Local Authorities, please contact our Family Clerk Gemma Mulloy on GemmaMulloy@octagon-legal.co.uk or call on 01603 623186 for more details.
Welcome to Gemma Mulloy
We are also pleased to announce that Gemma Mulloy has joined our clerking team as the family team clerk. Gemma has over 15 years of experience of clerking having previously worked at East Anglian Chambers. Please contact Gemma on GemmaMulloy@octagon-legal.co.uk or on 01603 623186 for further details about our family team.
Recuitment – Family/Billing Clerk
We are currently looking for a family/billing clerk to join our clerking team.
Salary circa £25,000 depending on experience.
Please contact us for more details.
New Octagon Legal Website Launched
Normally this space will be reserved for legal news that might affect or interest you, and will give a flavour of what we do. But since this is the launch of our website, the service we offer is the news this month.
This is a new way of dealing with your most serious legal problems. Going to a lawyer is never a popular option, but the fact that something might have gone very badly wrong means it is often the safest way. There is clear evidence that those who have sought to deal with it themselves frequently seek our advice to put things right after the event, which is far more difficult.
Some of you will be eligible for Public Access to a barrister and we have launched this website to tell you about us and to try to help you to make the right choices We offer skilled and focused professional help with control over your legal fees. There are absolutely no hidden costs.
We are a group of experienced advocates – barristers who can help you decide how to conduct your case and when you need us. We can help you write the letters and advise you how to proceed, whether it be to court or through some other method of resolution. And if you do need to go to court, we will tell you which hearings you can do on your own, and which you will need one of us to help you with. We will tell you in advance exactly how much each piece of work will cost, and you will only pay us for one piece of work at a time. We will tell you what the court requires in the way of paperwork, and help you to draft it. We have a special “Initial Conference” service to give you the sort of overview that will help you deal with the proceedings and know where you stand.
So if you are in a spot of trouble, and the legal maze is looming over you, give our clerks a ring to see if we can help.