Over the past few years I’ve been running my interactive workshops for barristers and solicitors wanting to gain insights into the Silk and/or Judicial application processes. I’ve very much enjoyed doing these and have received some excellent feedback. I was approached to run another one for a chambers on the Midlands Circuit in May – but then we were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
I think there are some absolutely brilliant Ted Talks and I’ve eagerly shared them with many clients as well as during my workshops on leadership and communication. However, I find that music and songs have a greater impact on people. Perhaps it is true: “We learned more from a 3-minute record then we ever learned in school”.
I don’t think there were many dry eyes in the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on Friday 5 October 2018.
Music has always been important to me, even though I can’t play any instrument, I can only sing enthusiastically (and feel sorry for people near me at gigs) and I can’t even clap in time! But being at a gig with others is one of the places I feel most at home, connected and alive. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to see some of the best bands in the world (I know that is very subjective) and been to some wonderful and memorable gigs. A number of years ago, a friend thought I may like to check out a band described as “A cross between Arcade Fire meets The Faces like a Yorkshire’s E Street Band” – they sounded right up my street! Ladies and Gellyspoons… please allow me to introduce you to Hope and Social.
Building on from the success our earlier events, and his subsequent visit to the project, my 17 year old son, Tadhg, is planning another story telling evening. During the visit he learned just how much of a difference anyone can make, so he hopes you will come along, share stories, poems or maybe tell a joke. We expect it be an enjoyable evening again where we’ll share, learn, laugh and perhaps be moved.
The Bambisanani Partnership is a charity that has been making a difference for over a decade, having a positive impact on both communities. All proceeds from our evening will go directly to the charity.
When I was growing up in West London we had a wonderful next door neighbour, Mrs. Cooper, who was more like a grandmother to me. She was such a gentle yet great character, frail but immensely strong, wise and patient. As a trainee nurse she slipped while pushing a trolley and lost all her teeth when she was just 18. She drove ambulances throughout London during the Second World War. She had a budgie called Joey and deep brown eyes. If I were to describe her in one word it would be: kind.
Building on from the success of last year’s event, my 16 year old son, Tadhg, is planning another story telling evening. He hopes you will come along, share stories, poems or maybe tell a joke. We expect it be an enjoyable evening again where we’ll share, learn, laugh and perhaps be moved.
This year we will also enjoy short stories from St Mary’s partnership school in South Africa. The Bambisanani Partnership is a charity that has been running for over 10 years and having a positive impact on both communities. Tadhg’s been a member of Ilkley Young Writers Group for a number of years and therefore seen and heard some wonderful, engaging and powerful performances. We hope a number of them will be joining us on Friday 12 May 2017 – hopefully a treat for all ages. A community event – where everyone is very welcome!
“… room for improvement but phenomenally helpful is reading text quickly etc . Really really useful . Thanks for putting it together”
Over recent years I have been asked repeatedly whether there are any old JAC tests that candidates could try. The JAC used to publish qualifying test reports and include their questions and answers but haven’t done so since that moved to the more generic situational questioning and critical reasoning tests. So unfortunatlely, they no longer make their tests available.
My blog on Qualifying Tests – gives you an overview of how they work.
I have been talking to a number of judges and practitioners about developing some mock crime, civil and family tests. However, the JAC announced at the end of 2016 that they would be testing new non-jurisdictional qualifying tests.
As a result and having collaborated with others I have developed one situational judgement and one critical reasoning test.
“Thank you. Did the test – wow very taxing – got x% It has helped greatly to see it in the flesh as it were and what to expect and what time of day not to take it!! Timing is key as well – a brilliant revision tool. Thanks”
Situational Judgement
16 questions in 15 minutes set by a judge to test candidates’ judgement and decision making based on real situations and experience.
Critical Reasoning
23 questions to be answered in 30 minutes based on a judicial speech – this includes time for reading a PDF text.
Your Feedback Report
Following the test you will be e-mailed your test report, score, the questions and answers.
Candidate Options
NB These tests are on line, so make sure you have a good internet connection, sufficient time and are able to open a PDF document. Please follow the instructions and keep an eye on your time. You must download the speech before commencing the critical reasoning or combined test! Don’t pay for any test until you are ready to take it – they are on-line tests. Payments can only be accepted via PayPal (this is the only payment that works for this).
If you don’t see the PayPal link you may need to look at your pop up settings and/or make sure your PayPal e-mail address is the same as the one you are using for the test. Perhaps you may need to try another device or browser – technology!
Your results and the correct answers will be automatically e-mailed to you once you have completed a test.
Opportunities (problems)
If you have failed to follow the test instructions and not downloaded the speech for the critical reasoning test, it can be found here!
I have set these tests so that you can take them a second time in case you experience wireless or technical issues.
I’m keen to add further situational judgement questions, but know that will not be easy, especially if they are non-jurisdictional and importantly respect the confidentiality of actual JAC tests.
Any feedback would be most welcome and I hope these may help candidates prepare for any future JAC tests.
“This evening I did the tests that you recently posted on your website which were very helpful.”
Narrative Tests
It is not possible to set these as mock tests as they require marking individually but I am willing to share some tips and advice – please just e-mail me or text me your e-mail address: tim@asktim.org 0796 999 7335
In September, I was invited to be on a panel for a PM Forum event in London where we shared some ideas on marketing on a budget. It was geared to professional services: lawyers, accountants, architects but most of the ideas can be applied across industries and sectors. Subsequently, I was asked to write an extended article and that was recently published- “Punching Above Your Weight – Uncommon Sense”.
I’d welcome your feedback and thoughts:
“We cannot solve problems by using the same kind of thinking that created them” Einstein
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