Yasmin Stevenson
New member
...advice on defences? I have just been called to the Bar and am applying for pupillage.
A few weeks ago I borrowed my parents' car and they have now received a NIP letter from the police asking for further information on the relevant driver of the vehicle on the day I was driving. Apparently I jumped through a red light at 26mph. I have a clean driving license and consider myself a good driver. All I remember of that day was that it was raining heavily and if I did jump a red light it probably would have been because it would have been dangerous to brake suddenly.
My parents are being asked to disclose the driver and I don't want them to take the blame for my mistake. However, I am worried that I will have to declare this to the Bar Council. Certainly on some non OLPAS pupillage applications I have been asked about whether I have had a clean driving license. So my questions are:
1) Does a traffic offence "conviction" need to be disclosed?
2) How difficult/what are the prospects of success when defending yourself in my circumstances?
I appreciate that I may be worrying unnecessarily, but would really appreciate some guidance on this matter.
* I mean defending myself against the offence in writing/in the Mags'. I believe that the dangerous road conditions may be capable of constituting a defence.
A few weeks ago I borrowed my parents' car and they have now received a NIP letter from the police asking for further information on the relevant driver of the vehicle on the day I was driving. Apparently I jumped through a red light at 26mph. I have a clean driving license and consider myself a good driver. All I remember of that day was that it was raining heavily and if I did jump a red light it probably would have been because it would have been dangerous to brake suddenly.
My parents are being asked to disclose the driver and I don't want them to take the blame for my mistake. However, I am worried that I will have to declare this to the Bar Council. Certainly on some non OLPAS pupillage applications I have been asked about whether I have had a clean driving license. So my questions are:
1) Does a traffic offence "conviction" need to be disclosed?
2) How difficult/what are the prospects of success when defending yourself in my circumstances?
I appreciate that I may be worrying unnecessarily, but would really appreciate some guidance on this matter.
* I mean defending myself against the offence in writing/in the Mags'. I believe that the dangerous road conditions may be capable of constituting a defence.