Michelle Heeley KC @Brummybar Twitter profile

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@Sudani4413

Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Youngest has come home from school with a Recorder. Kill me now.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

My mother is here for dinner. She’s currently rearranging my washing line as I’ve “hung it out wrong”. I’m 45.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

As it’s Pupillage Offer Day I thought some of you might appreciate seeing this little gem again. Check out the final line, and never give up hope!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

Due to popular demand a reminder to anyone who didn’t get pupillage today that there are rejection letters- and then there are rejection letters…check the last line!

Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

7 years

Going through some old files and thought this letter might give hope to those applying for pupillage- read the last line of one of my many rejection letters!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

Turns out my parents have no idea what my role is and have been telling their friends I’m “Head of Crime” in the Midlands- so it would appear they all think I’m a female Tony Soprano.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Over the past 18 months as a “left wing criminal justice lawyer” I have prosecuted over 50 alleged drug dealers, defended alleged murderers and rapists. I don’t choose my cases, I follow the Code of Conduct and act independently, to the best of my ability, and am proud to do so.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Nothing makes the heart sink faster than hearing a Magistrate refer to the Prosecution as “Our Barrister”. They were swiftly corrected.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

I was the only girl at primary school who wanted to play football, at my senior school I started a girls football team, I was always told I wasn’t girly enough, that I shouldn’t like football. Tonight is for all the girls who dare to be different. Keep dreaming and believing!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Valuable lesson learned today. You are never too Senior to make mistakes. Check, check, and check again. And never be afraid to admit you have got something wrong. We are all human and honesty is always the best policy.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Thinking of my brother, Colin, on World Down’s Syndrome Day. A time to celebrate the positivity and love that those with Down’s bring to the world, and a time to remember those no longer with us.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

7 years

Going through some old files and thought this letter might give hope to those applying for pupillage- read the last line of one of my many rejection letters!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

I have now been refused payment for 4 days on the murder trial as “I wasn’t signed in”. This despite the fact the computer in the robing room has been broken for 2 months- oh -and made my speech one of the days I “wasn’t there”. Utterly sick of being accused of dishonesty by LAA!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Thinking of my brother on what would’ve been his 47th birthday. I love this photo of him, it captures his gift for mimicry perfectly. Hold your loved ones tight, you never know when the last hug may be.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Guess it’s official now, no going back!

No5 Barristers' Chambers

@No5Chambers

3 years

No5's Michelle Heeley QC appointed as youngest ever leader of Midlands Circuit; Michelle will begin her leadership role at the Midlands Circuit on 1st October, 2021

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

6 years

Just in case any Daily Mail readers are wondering what this fat cat lawyer is up to on a Saturday? Training Barristers in Vulnerable witness questioning. For free. In our own time. To ensure a fair trial, because that’s what we do.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

My husband would crumble as a witness. Boys night out last night - Me- Did you have much to drink? Him- 3 or 4 pints Me- were there 5 of you? Him- yes. Me- did you all buy a round? Him- yes. Me- so you had 5 pints? Him- erm yes, and a shot. Zero sympathy for the hangover!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Last minute train from court -£21 Bus from station as there are no taxis-£2.40 Seeing son’s face as I walk through the door at 9pm meaning I’m home for his birthday tomo- Priceless

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

She forgets to mention that she totally wiped the floor with me and I came a distant second! Fiona was superb, and a star of the future!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Is there a more glorious court on circuit?

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

5 years

This is my Dad, he’s 70 today and retired yesterday from being a Magistrate after 26 yrs service. Mags often get knocked but he has served his community with humility and a genuine sense of serving justice and I’m incredibly proud of him!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

A very good and hard working solicitor friend of mine has just submitted her legal aid bill for a murder, a year’s work, expert evidence, almost weekly phone cons, a week long trial- total £4,000- that’s ridiculous! No wonder defence firms are struggling!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

This is my diary entry from 20 yrs ago today, it encapsulates the rollercoaster that is pupillage applications. I still pinch myself that I’m lucky enough to be doing the job I love, here’s to the next 20 yrs!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

I've done it! I can now legitimately be described as a "Heavyweight criminal silk". Sadly its nothing to do with any notable cases, rather the fact I have consumed my own body weight in chocolate over the festive period.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

I am at the point with work that I have so many things on my To Do list I am paralysed with indecision and thus not dealing with any of them. And breathe.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

2 members of chambers were due to get married tomo, obviously it was cancelled but that didn’t stop us! One surprise virtual wedding later! All dressed up, speeches the lot, I love my chambers!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

6 years

A lovely old lady on the tram has just asked me if I’m going home, “No”, I replied, “I’m going to court.” “Oh!” She said, shocked, “I hope you get off!” I evidently need to smarten up my work suits!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

@BarristerSecret I wrote a lecture on hearsay, the CJA version, I titled it “Hearsay, not so Pure and Simple anymore” I feel that title never got the recognition it deserved.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Top parenting from me today as eldest insisted his wrist was still hurting from where he came off a slide heavily last week. I told him, in effect, to stop moaning. Turns out its fractured. Oops.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Still get a thrill every time I walk through these doors!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

20 years ago today, to the minute, I was on my feet for the first time. I astounded the world with my advocacy ability as I proclaimed to the judge “The prison has failed to produce my client” Good to see nothing changes, and it’s been downhill ever since!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

I’m wearing my brother’s shirt today, it’s 20 yrs ago this week since he died, we shared a passion for ⁦ @AVFCOfficial ⁩ and as I cheer them on today against Man U he will be in my heart

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

Juggling motherhood with life at the Bar isn’t easy. My boys woke me this morning with tea in bed and a present calling me their “rock”. I don’t always get the balance right but today the guilt went away for just a little while.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Speaking to a law student about their future plans, they want to be a Barrister, I asked if they had considered Birmingham. Student genuinely surprised that there Chambers outside of London. Sigh.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

All 6 Circuit Leaders robed and ready for the Opening of the Legal Year ⁦ @SECircuit ⁩ ⁦ @CircuitNorth ⁩ ⁦ @midland_circuit ⁩ ⁦ @westerncircuit ⁩ ⁦ @NECircuitleader ⁩ ⁦ @WandCcircuit ⁩

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Whilst I have embraced digital working there’s just something comforting about a nicely tabbed physical bundle!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

Since January I’ve had 58 meetings, 5 rape trials, 3 murders, 1 week sitting and 3 days off. After tomo I’ve got 2 whole weeks off. Stick a fork in me, I’m done.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Arrested 2 yrs ago, 1st before court April '19, 3 trial listings, client of good character lost her job solely because of allegations. LA denied, sold car to fund proceedings privately. Case dropped today after "review". CJS is broken, as is my client.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

4 week trial fixed over a year ago. Pulled today, no explanation or consultation. So sick of it all.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

I just got to make the best phone call. We informed the winner of the @midlandcircuit Scholarship competition! A young Brummy lad who couldn’t have afforded the BPTC otherwise, nice to be able to make a real difference

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Dear Judge, it may be over video link but I can still see you rolling your eyes at my submissions.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

Its National Bring Your Dog to Work Day. Can you imagine the chaos Clemmie would cause in a Crown Court?!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Not sure it’s possible to look more pissed off than a bulldog who has been showered against her will and is now suffering the indignity of a blow dry!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Good luck to everyone awaiting Pupillage offers, it’s a horribly, stressful time. I had over 50 rejections before getting the one offer- 20 years later I’m still at the same set, I daren’t leave in case no one else wants me!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

5 years

How can we be told that social distancing is so important we must stay away from our own mothers on Mother’s Day, yet at the same time expect 12 jurors to sit in a confined space to start new trials. Jury trials must stop now.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

What’s not to love - a court with views like this, and then a farmer’s market next to it for lunch!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Father in law watching Indian Jones- Last Crusade, complaining it’s unrealistic as his hat doesn’t come off when on a motorbike. No complaint about the 800 yr old knight who’s gained immortality by drinking continuously from the cup of Christ…

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

When trials are running this is my daily schedule 7am - check overnight emails 8am - leave house, school run, at court before 9 4.30pm - finish in court 5pm - Conference 6pm - Home, see kids - bedtime 7.30pm start prepping for next day No to late sitting and weekend courts!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Yay! Santa bought me a new clothes horse!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Uh oh, does this mean my tweets now have to be serious and grown up??

Midland Circuit

@midland_circuit

3 years

Michelle Heeley QC @Brummybar will be the next Leader of our great Circuit. The Circuit Committee are all excited to work with her over the next 3 years. We hope you join us in congratulating Michelle!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Seeking to put right last year’s travesty, Clemmie has been working hard on this years ⁦ @LawPawCalendar ⁩ entry! (In no way helping me avoid Sunday homework club!)

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

10 yrs ago today since my then 18 mth old caused a packed, silent courtroom to erupt in a fit of giggles as he said “uh oh” when they all walked in wearing their finest ceremonial gear. Still makes me smile today!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 months

Watching the gymnastics, I think there should be similar scoring for court performances- “oh that’s a lovely leading question there, 5.6 for difficulty.” “that’s a tricky legal argument, but 8.9 for execution” I think it would improve the whole court experience.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 months

I’m all for swift justice, but given that trials are being adjourned up and down the country for lack of barristers and Judges, and that trials are already being fixed for 2026, I would love to know where they’re going to get the resources to facilitate this.

Politics UK

@PolitlcsUK

2 months

🚨 BREAKING: Courts will be open and sitting for 24 hours a day under government plans to crack down on rioters [ @Telegraph ]

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

Never was a silk happier on holiday than at a 2p machine in the amusements arcade!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

This may well be the first and only time I get to wear duck feet slippers to a court hearing.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

The Midland Circuit extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Matthew Mawdsley, who only very recently became a Judge in Birmingham. A devastatingly sad loss for all.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

My parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today, I owe them everything, when first married they lived in a caravan as they couldn’t afford a house, they worked incredibly hard to send their children to uni and give us opportunities they didn’t have- I’m so proud of them

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

Fulfilling a bucket list ambition tonight, fine dining on a steam train. If we are not personally served by Paddington I shall be most upset!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

We had two crows in the garden this morning. It was an attempted murder.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

10 months

Eldest, upon being informed we were not having fish and chips tonight, had taken it upon himself to write an essay as to the merits of fish and chips and why he should have them. Bloody kids of lawyers.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Before I start on the champagne and telling you all that you’ve got lovely hair I would like to wish my beautiful followers a Happy and healthy New Year, may you all have the fortitude to deal with whatever 2022 tries to throw at you!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

I’m sitting in my study, which looks out onto my road, fully wigged and gown for my first remote, robed, hearing. I feel such a Wally.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

In case you missed me I was the silk running down Holborn trying to flag down a taxi to avoid being late for the service! Have you ever seen a full bottomed wig flying in the wind?!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

Every lawyer on Twitter right now nodding in sympathy

Fesshole

@fesshole

1 year

I am a Solicitor and I practise Employment Law but to stop family and friend asking for free legal advice I tell them I practise Environmental Law.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

I for one think this is a strong look!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 months

So this was a rather nice surprise!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Had a request from a court clerk today for my dog to make an appearance. Nice to know they prefer her attendance to mine.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Anyone else at the Bar have any daft superstitions? I have guilty/not guilty cuff links and always wear the appropriate side facing the jury- guilty if prosecuting, not guilty if defending!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Happiness is a new pair of bunny slippers. Yes, I am 42

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

5 years

So proud of the Midland Circuit pupils, 20 of them have been online for over 8 hrs, all participating in online Advocacy training. No word of complaint, no slacking, just really keen to learn- well done guys!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

One of the slightly more surreal moments of today’s trip to a theme park with the boys was when a solicitor called for advice about a genital wart expert whilst I was riding the carousel.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Big shout out to the @ne_circuit whose Barrister made a lonely traveller feel very welcome in the robing room this week. Ive never had an oppo bake me Brownies before and offer to do my washing! Friendliest Bar I’ve ever met!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

I haven’t looked at my emails for 72 hrs, this may be a new record for me.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

I appear to have Ribena on my bands. This is not a good start. Least I’m not in front of a HCJ. Oh.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

No barristers have capacity for EOH, I am currently prepping for 3 trials all scheduled to run at the same time, no one to return them to, don’t know which, if any, will go ahead. I’m using my holiday to stay on top of everything.

Law Society Gazette

@lawsocgazette

3 years

Crown court service intends to achieve at least 105,000 sitting days in 2021-22 and hopes to introduce extended operating hours:

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

6 years

‘‘Tis done! One signed ⁦ @BarristerSecret ⁩ t shirt, ironed tonight, ready to be sent to ⁦ @StefanCross1 ⁩ Raising money for ⁦ @BillableHour16 ⁩ . With thanks to ⁦ @CivilLitTweet ⁩ for organising!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

5 years

18 yrs ago today I started pupillage, today I have the honour of attending the legal opening of the year at Westminster. I’m a little overexcited!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

6 years

17 yrs ago today I started pupillage, all trains to Stafford were delayed and I arrived 30 min late for court! To all new pupils, fear is natural, it is healthy, pupillage is terrifying but exhilarating, good luck to you all today!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

There’s no day that isn’t improved by a massive basket of Cadburys from a lovely client!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

5 years

Wig hung up for the foreseeable future. Next week’s trial removed from list, nothing in the diary now for weeks. Good luck to all you self employed barristers out there!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

@LindaMae4 Inappropriate pegging of jeans, failing to allow sufficient space to dry, wrong placement of garments!!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Lessons learned today- tweet about important developing law, 0 likes, tweet about dog, 50 likes, tweet joke about Recorder, 4800 likes and lots of people telling me off for not encouraging music- my apologies, he already plays piano, I do like music, it was just a joke!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

Tune into @bbc5live to hear why Criminal barristers are taking action from today, with thanks to Adrian Chiles for allowing reasoned discussion and understanding of the issues

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

You haven’t made it at the Bar til you get to spend the night at a Premier inn in West Ruislip. Work hard folks, you can achieve your dreams!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Opponent in case has taught me how to hyperlink a document in my jury bundle index direct to the page on DCS and quite frankly it's a game changer. This is what passes for excitement on day 372 of Lockdown.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

27 days

Just crushed my boys at Monopoly. Eldest “mommy you have a dark side I’ve never seen before” Yes. Yes I do, now pay the £1000 rent you owe me….

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

On the left Archbold 2022, on the right Archbold 1822. If only I’d been practising 200 years ago!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 year

The “post closing speech” pint, second only in taste to the first holiday pint.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

The Midland Circuit is delighted to launch our scholarship programme, £20,000 is available to an individual with strong Midland links who may not otherwise be able to afford to undertake the BPTC. Application form can be found here

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

2 years

An absolute privilege to host Lady Hale last night, she spoke at our ⁦ @mcwomensforum ⁩ event and charmed everyone!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Solo dining whilst working away from home. Don’t tell the kids but I’m quite enjoying some peace and quiet after the madness of the school holidays!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

1 month

It’s our wedding anniversary- the boys have rather sweetly attempted to set the table in a “special way”….

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Just in case any Bar students out there need motivation to keep going- this, this is the reward for all those years of hard work. You too could get to stay away from home and have fridge contents as glamorous as this!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

Is it a British holiday unless you’ve walked around a castle in the rain?

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

6 years

1) When I started this job one of my goals was to prosecute a murder. I achieved that goal this week. It’s been one of the hardest, most emotional cases I’ve ever done. The reason I’m tweeting is because I know how disaffected so many Juniors are at the Criminal Bar right now.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

4 years

As it’s my first trial in 3 months tomorrow do we think the Judge will accede to my request for an afternoon nap?

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Eating a packed lunch in the car park of a Magistrates court. Don’t let anyone tell you the Bar isn’t glamorous kids!

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

Diligently waited for trial to be confirmed as definitely listed before booking hotel far from home. 6pm- email saying no prosecutor available and they’ll be seeking to adjourn. And thus 2022 begins…

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

There are some days when you come out of court and feel as if you’ve gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Today was one of those days.

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Michelle Heeley KC

@Brummybar

3 years

After 6 1/2 weeks of no sweets, chocolate, snacks or alcohol don’t mind me as I have coco pops with Baileys for breakfast! Happy Easter everyone!

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