Stephen Midwinter
Name: Stephen Midwinter
Chambers: Brick Court Chambers
Position: tenant
University: Cambridge
Subject: law
Graduated: 2000
Why I chose a career as a commercial law barrister
I found studying commercial law interesting and so undertook a masters focusing on commercial subjects. I also did mini-pupillages at commercial sets and liked what I saw there.
Overview of working life at the commercial law bar
Working life at the commercial law bar
My practice is in commercial law, focusing on insurance, banking, professional negligence and civil fraud. I am involved in a long trial two or three times a year; these last anything from three to ten weeks and are led by a QC. I work seven days a week, 8.00 am to 9.00 pm or later, at these times, drafting submissions and notes for crossexaminations and combing the files for documents that my leader can use. The court sits from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm and you have to do a full day’s work on top of that. When I have smaller hearings – interim applications, small trials, injunctions and so on – my basic hours are approximately 8.00 am to 7.00 pm, five days a week. I make sure all the necessary evidence is in place, draft a skeleton argument, prepare something to say and attend court. When I have no hearings I may draft advices, hold conferences with clients or work on witness statements or expert reports for trial. It is occasionally possible to be flexible about working hours as long as everything gets done.
Best and worst aspects of my career in law
The best feeling is winning a case and the worst is losing. When you win, you feel as if you could take on the world. When you lose, it’s hard not to take it personally – you can really start to question yourself and your ability. The only solution is to have a pint or two, then get on to the next case and do your best to win it!
