Shock to the system

I have been a Trainee with Gilson Gray for just over a year. I spent my first year in the firm’s busy Conveyancing Department and then their excellent Family Law Department. I obtained excellent hands-on experience in both Departments during my time there.

I was keen to get some Court experience during the second year of my traineeship. As a result, I am spending the next six months in the firm’s busy Debt Recovery Department. The Department is run by partner David Alexander.  I had spoken to David on a number of occasions before joining the team and had formed the impression that the Department were very busy and well thought of in the Scottish Legal Market.

I have now been in the Department for a month. To say that things have stepped up a gear with regards my training is an understatement.  The volume of instruction coming into the team on a daily basis is impressive. The speed at which the team turns round those instructions has come as a great surprise. The speed of recoveries being made by the team is something I am still trying to get my head around.

I was initially concerned that a lot of this would pass me by given the speed and nature of what the team do. However, nothing could be further from the truth. From day one I have been assisting David and his team with cases calling in Court. I have been asked to draft some complex litigation proceedings for review.  I have been dealing with a number of Simple Procedure actions without much input from the team (unless required of course). I have been carrying out some research for the Solicitors in the team with regards to some high-value actions being dealt with by them.  I have attended and dealt with a number of mediations calling at Sheriff Court level.

One thing that has surprised me beyond the volume of instruction and speed at which they are turned around, is the wide variety of cases dealt with by the team. They have volume clients who instruct them in relation to payment actions, Commercial Landlord and Tenant Disputes, applications to the First-Tier Tribunal for Scotland, actions to recover vehicles on behalf of car leasing companies.

If the rest of my time with the Debt Recovery Team is as busy as my first month, then I am in for a very busy but rewarding time. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The information and opinions contained in this blog are for information only. They are not intended to constitute advice and should not be relied upon or considered as a replacement for advice. Before acting on any of the information contained in this blog, please seek specific advice from Gilson Gray.