Today, our spotlighted barrister is James Culverwell.
Tell us a little about yourself and your practice.
“I have been a barrister for about ten years. I started my career at a common law set and had the benefit of experiencing a huge variety of work in Crime, Family, Immigration and even very briefly Employment as well as Civil and Commercial law. After a few years, I narrowed down my practice and eventually moved to Lamb Chambers to focus on Property and Commercial work. Since joining Lamb, I have also developed specialisms in Construction and Insolvency & Companies work. I live in Hampshire with my wife (also a barrister), our two boys and our labrador. After my family and the law, I have interests (bordering on obsessions) in Land Rovers and Cricket.”
What is your first memory of wanting to be a barrister?
“When I was about 14, I had developed a flair for acting and for arguing. I was generally good academically but without any particular standout subjects. A friend’s mother came back from Jury service and said that I should be a barrister. I looked it up, thought dressing up and arguing for a living would be pretty good fun and haven’t looked back since.”
Is there a certain case that stands out to you in your career? If yes, why?
“Although it’s not the area I have ended up, or wanted to end up, practising, I will always remember my first (and only) jury trial. The jury advocate is probably what most people picture when they think of a barrister and as a young wannabe barrister, it is what I pictured, so it was a great thrill to give a Rumpole-esque speech to a jury. Unfortunately, unlike the great fictional barristers, I lost and my client got three years…!”
What’s your favourite thing about being a barrister?
“I love the flexibility and variety. Every day is different and brings new opportunities to learn, to meet people from different walks of life or to discover more crumbling court buildings in different parts of the country.”
What do you do to relax?
“In those fleeting moments I tend to read and/or watch murder mysteries.”
If you weren’t a barrister, what would you be?
“What I would want to be is a sports journalist getting paid to watch cricket, what I would actually be is sad, unemployed and alone.”
