The verdict

The verdict was in four weeks ago. As Barack Obama waited for his fate to be sealed on 5 November 2008, I in turn waited to be told whether I was wanted as a tenant. Obama was, of course, successful in his mission – and so was I!

It’s great news, but it’s also strange in that although I was and still am really excited, I can't help but feel ever so slightly depressed; it is a feeling of anti-climax. After more than 10 years of extreme hard work, preparation, hopes and tears. I finally did it – but what next? However, I assure you I am very, very grateful!

I can tell one thing that has been an interesting change as a result of my new status: a real jump in my rent! I pay a percentage of everything I earn to Chambers to pay for overheads: the building, my clerks, admin costs and such like. Becoming a tenant has meant a 300 per cent rise in my contribution to Chambers. Wow, it's immense!

I was also under the severe misapprehension that work would die down now that I am a tenant: no more doing work for other members of Chambers and last-minute favours for solicitors on top of my own work. However, I couldn't be more wrong! That explains why I was still in chambers at 9pm on Sunday…

I've had enough. I'm off home to watch the first episode of BBC 2's The Barristers: I'll let you know my thoughts on it next week!