I was always fascinated by the dynamic of trials. I remember, aged 17, getting an afternoon off school to watch a local magistrates’ court that happened to be staging an all-day trial on a drink-drive charge. The case lasted until after 6pm, involved an intricate dispute about law and fact, and had the observer changing sides almost witness by witness, examination (and cross-examination) by examination. I was hooked.
I read law at Oxford. My year at Keble included some very distinguished lawyers. Of the 11 of us who sat the final examination in 1976, five obtained firsts. Needless to say, I was not one of them. I did, however, decide to try my hand at some mooting.
