Not Uncommon The Bizarre Normalization of Pupil Master Shenanigans at the Bar

Date: 2024-11-21
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November 21, 2024, 8:08 PM GMT
ConfidentialAccess.com — The Sarcastic Insider

In a legal world where professionalism is a pillar of public trust, one might assume that relationships between senior barristers and young, aspiring lawyers would at least aspire to a shred of ethical decorum. Enter Jo Sidhu KC, former chair of the Criminal Bar Association, whose defence in a sexual misconduct tribunal has somehow turned the Bar into a steamy episode of Pupil-Master Island.

Sidhu’s barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, gave us all a masterclass in creative excuse-making this week, arguing that romantic entanglements between senior barristers and their pupils are “not uncommon.” Yes, you read that correctly: not uncommon. Because, apparently, the Bar has moonlighted as a matchmaking service all along, and nobody thought to mention it.

“It's not uncommon at the Bar for people to marry their former pupils,” Williamson boldly declared, adding that starting a relationship during pupillage is just a natural precursor to wedded bliss. Clearly, he forgot to submit the “Bar Association Matchmaking Guidelines” as Exhibit A.

9 Years Previous Jo Sidhu Was Exposed as The Jimmy Saville of Lawyers

Twerking Texts and Hotel Invitations: The New Normal?

The tribunal dismissed allegations relating to two women, Person 1 and Person 2, one of whom received a totally professional reference to "twerking" in a text message. If a senior barrister thinks twerking jokes are career advice, we can only assume his lectures on case law feature Fortnite dances and TikTok trends.

As for Person 2, she claimed Sidhu invited her to his hotel room during a mini-pupillage. The tribunal found no evidence of this—because inviting someone to your hotel, just not the room, is a distinction worthy of Shakespearean tragedy. A proper "Will you come to the hotel, or not come to the hotel?" moment, if you will.

“Perfectly Normal” Requests for Sexual Photos

The pièce de résistance of this tribunal came when Williamson characterized Sidhu's request for sexual photographs from Person 3 as "perfectly normal" behavior in a consensual relationship. Who knew that "Send nudes" had become part of the barrister-client communication handbook? Let’s all take a moment to imagine Sidhu giving a CPD seminar: "How to Maintain Client Confidentiality While Texting Private Sexual Fantasies."

Of course, this was all framed as consensual—because nothing says "mutual respect" like one party feeling it’s “inevitable” that something will happen, and choosing to “take control” of the situation. Empowering, truly.

Deleting Evidence: A Totally Above-Board Practice

And let’s not overlook Sidhu’s request that Person 3 delete their messages—because who wouldn’t want their private sexual fantasies kept under wraps? Why would anyone think that a senior barrister asking someone to erase incriminating evidence might, oh, I don’t know, undermine public trust in the profession?

“Common Sense and Judgment” at the Bar?

Judge Janet Waddicor summed it up with one poetic interjection: “There must be surely a point where common sense and judgment applies.” Surely. But alas, common sense seems as scarce as a barrister who hasn’t texted a twerking joke.

A Profession Built on Trust?

Fiona Horlick KC, representing the Bar Standards Board, tried to inject a dose of reality, arguing that a barrister’s core duty to uphold public trust applies “at all times—in court, in conference, in private life.” But Williamson wasn’t having it, brushing off the notion of a power imbalance as irrelevant in the “self-employed” world of barristers.

Because, clearly, the “very real fear” of career repercussions for young lawyers navigating a small, insular profession is just another figment of public hysteria.

Takeaways from the Sidhu Saga

Jo Sidhu may no longer be listed on the BSB register, but his legacy lives on in this landmark defense of the indefensible. Thanks to him, we now know:

  • Asking for nudes is “normal.”
  • Twerking jokes are just quirky career advice.
  • Hotel invites are misunderstood gestures of professional camaraderie.

Who needs a legal profession steeped in integrity when we have this comedic circus to keep us entertained? One thing’s for sure: the Criminal Bar Association might want to revise its motto to something more fitting. Perhaps, "Where Power Meets Poor Judgment."

Stay classy, barristers.

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