Via Delia Venables, Jonathan Mitchell Q.C. has what is apparently the first website of a Scottish advocate (the equivalent of an English barrister, as the ‘Q.C.’ indicates). He practises with the Murray Stable – does this mean that the Scots use Stable where the English use Chambers? Jonathan Mitchell’s site is not complete (he describes it as ‘home-made’). Under miscellany, there are links to Scots law sites (the site uses frames so I can’t give a specific URL).
He has a nice section ‘Looking for a different Jonathan Mitchell?’ Very amusing, the Jonathan Mitchells he has found on the Web. Why didn’t I think of that? There used to be a Margaret Marks in her seventies running a bar in Nevada somewhere.
Two sites mentioned are Absolvitor by Iain Nisbet and Scottish Law Online by Kevin Crombie.
It could be the Stable means Chambers or Office North of the Border.
However, I had the privilege last summer of attending a conference organised by the Faculty of Advocates (Scottish Bar Association) inside their home at Parliament House, Edinburgh.
Speakers from the Faculty and the Scottish Judiciary made the point several times that the Scottish Bar is ‘library- and not chambers-based’. That is that most legal work and research, in the Scottish Capital at least, is done in the libary where also Faculty disciplinary rules are enforced informally by ‘the shake of the head, the admonishing look or the tap on the shoulder’. To that extent, Stable could even mean a library patch i.e. seating area. I can’t, of course, speak for places outside the Capital.
Well, there are apparently eleven stables in Scotland. From the site of the Faculty of Advocates:
‘For administrative purposes, counsel are divided into groups or “stables” each of which has an advocates clerk and at least one deputy. The clerks assist counsel with the smooth running of their practices, schedule court appearances and consultations and deal with solicitors on their behalf. Counsels fees are negotiable and can be discussed with the clerk.’
http://www.advocates.org.uk/web/whatis.htm
I should think an admonishing look from one of those Scottish advocates might be a severe punishment. Or am I thinking of some old fogy in Dr. Finlay’s Casebook?
Thanks for the mention Margaret! Actually “What are stables?” is question 11 in the page entitled “Advocates” which is noted as “Primarily but not exclusively for lawyers outwith Scotland, from whom I particularly welcome suggested further FAQs or indeed answers.”
I’ll expand it when I get round to it- and I’m expecting to post an article soon by two of this year’s “Eurodevils” (they’re question 12) on their time at the Faculty.
Thanks, Jonathan (and thanks for using the wonderful Scottish word ‘outwith’!)