Where are they now? part 5

George Carman QC was once described by journalist who had watched him outside court as a gambler hooked on the fear of losing. This proved to be a remarkably prescient comment. In the book about his father "No Ordinary Man" Dominic Carmine reveals that George Carman QC was indeed a gambler, except that while his courtroom gambles usually succeeded his gambling in casinos usually did not. (Nor given the way the odds favour the house would anyone expect anything different over any period of time).

George did not so much burn the candle at both ends as simultaneously light it in the middle and sprinkle gunpowder on top. He would often be out until late. I have heard many stories (from other members of the Bar) of concern by clerks and juniors of their fears that George would not be properly prepared given his lifestyle. However no one ever gave an instance of George actually arriving at court and not being prepared. The impression seems to be that astonishing though it was given his lifestyle, that George always managed to be ready by the precise moment that it was necessary to be ready, and also seemed to know exactly what he would have to do. One person who was led by him on a civil case (a personal injury case, not George's particular forte but another instance of George being brought into a case because of his reputation as an advocate and cross examiner) said that the defence were unwilling to offer more than £X. There was no way they would budge above that figure. George arrived on the morning of the trial, not particularly promptly (but in advance of the hearing time), had a quick word with the QC on the other side, suddenly managed to produce from them an offer substantially in excess of £X (which the defence had resolutely stated they would not improve upon), tells his junior to draw up the order, and was then quickly off having been at court for about 20 minutes. The Junior described the entire performance as astonishing to watch and one which you could not imagine anyone else would have been able to produce. The Junior said George' s brief and dramatic appearance made him feel like some tribesman trying to cope with the appearance of a primitive deity. The key to the settlement may be somewhat simpler. Ultimately no one wanted to be cross-examined by George Carman. The prospect of it happening imminently tended to concentrate people's minds.

By the time I was led by George, a pencil entry in his diary (provisionally instructing him) required the payment of some £3000. This was refundable against any work done, but was introduced because people were "booking" George on cases so as to conflict him out of acting for the other side, but not really intending to use him, just to stop the other side using him. This put a stop to that practice.

I would never to suggest to an aspiring barrister that they try and copy George's example as to how to live your life and prepare cases. Nonetheless it is an instructive and useful example. People who wonder what George might have achieved with a different lifestyle (exactly what else was there for him to achieve at the Bar?!) miss the point. George did what worked for him. He arrived prepared but never stale. Whilst it is most unlikely that George's work pattern would be effective for you, nor is some standardised work pattern suggested by someone else likely to be right for you either. Each individual has to find the work and life balance that will suit them. Any other approach and you will never fulfil your potential.