The Grosvenor School of Law

QUEENS’ BIRTHDAY SILK

Aka Australia Day Silk.  Promoted for services to the public other than lawyering.  Normally good blokes/girls.  Can usually be trusted not to go beyond their capabilities at least early on.  Ironically often treated badly by Queens’ Birthday Judges.

LOG JAM SILK

 
Promoted because presents genuine barrier to more deserving types.  Often members of esteemed Chambers or leader of vocal minorities.

SHORT TERM SILK

 
On a promise for judicial appointment.  Usually to District Court.  Will not in reality take up a spot for existing or future silk.  Will enhance the status of where going and vindicate choice as silk in one usually quick step.

FADED DECORATIVE SILK

 
Person appointed on basis of decorative silk whose appointment falls through (or in the rare case offer is turned down — in a double switcheroo) but left with no silk’s practice and no judicial appointment.

SMALL FIRM SILK

 
Never briefed by large firms (thinks that is a virtue) rarely acts for same firm twice (thinks that is a virtue), often given silk for good of his clients so he/she will have a junior. Often says: “Do you have money in trust?” (thinks that is a virtue).

BIG FIRM SILK

 
Usually briefed by senior partners at national law firms so as to make their fees seem reasonable.  Never settles until after disclosure teams have scanned all documents and then fully loaded and cross checked data base.  Often has conferences in Chambers on Sundays with rare foods.

PIONEER SILK

 
Early settler.  Crude old fashioned methods. Rarely has conferences in Chambers on Sunday. Thinks calamari is bait. Often says: Just remind me where that is in the brief.  Knows other “settlement silks” phone numbers and secretaries’ christian names by heart.

ANGRY SILK

 
Treats everyone as an idiot, especially instructing solicitor, junior and client.  May throw telephone handset.  High secretary turnover. Briefed by people of low self esteem.  Rarely criticised directly.  Often high fee charger. Can sometime inflame them by saying: “Oh I thought you were cross because of my work but I see you are cross because of your life”.

JUDGE WHISPERER SILK

 
Success inexplicable to human observation; perhaps possessed of mythical powers.

DEFENDER OF SILKS

 
Silk who understands generally why no more silks should be made and specifically why no more silks should be made in his/her area of practice.  Vocal supporters of minority advancement and reward for public service.

‘Take Home’ Points

Remember, as a junior barrister there is only one good silk.  That is the silk that gets you lots of junior briefs, does all the work and tells the solicitor you did it and still wins the case.

Past Papers

Assume that after twelve years’ admission you will be wanting silk.  What should you do from the outset of your career to enhance your prospects?  Include mock up of letterhead, description of extra-curricular activities, description of clothes worn whilst not in court, nor more than 600 words.