I am presently a Partner at Horwich Farrelly Solicitors, primarily engaged in occupational disease, employers’ and public liability claims on behalf of insurers.

I first started in the law back in 1980 directly from sixth form college which may be unusual now but it was a fairly typical path at that time. There has in many ways been a return to this level of entry to the profession.

The market is contracting and with training contracts now so difficult to find, CILEx represents a genuine alternative route into the profession. At Horwich Farrelly we operate a sizable apprentice scheme with a view to developing careers within the firm.

I was appointed as a Deputy District Judge on the South Eastern Circuit in 2013. I would encourage anyone interested in judicial appointment to apply, however, the process is one which requires some thought and preparation even before the selection exercise is launched. The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) website has a lot of useful information as do a variety of JAC events around the country. It may also be worthwhile arranging to sit with a full-time judge for the day.

I presently sit between 30 and 40 days a year, being based in Southampton I tend to travel to courts as diverse as Brighton, Guildford, Staines, Dartford, Reading and Horsham.

To anyone with an interest I would encourage them to apply, the judicial role is very different to the work we do in the office although I am sure my advocacy skills have much improved.