Alexander Armstrong

Experience

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  Paul O'Neill Advocates

  Mar 2009 - Mar 2009

  Work Experience

  My first real legal experience shadowing a criminal advocate. This experience gave me a taste of the legal profession and cemented my desire to pursue a career in the law.

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  Manx Shoprite

  Sept 2009 - Jul 2014

  General Assistant

  As a General Assistant I work in all areas of the company. From ensuring shelves are full of product to working at the checkouts and resolving customer complaints. I have been able to keep my job whilst at university so that I can work when home during my breaks. I have been able to undertake some retail management work and develop my key skills. Customer interaction, time keeping, independence, initiative, team working, commercial awareness and being able to have some financial independence are all skills I have been able to grow and develop. Show less

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  Simcocks Advocates

  Jun 2010 - Jun 2010

  Work Experience

  One week shadowing advocates across the company. I was able to not only learn and develop my knowledge of the law, but also discovered how an advocate’s chambers are operated and marketed.

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  Canterbury Combined Courts

  Mar 2012 - Mar 2012

  Marshalling

  I was able to sit on the bench with District Judge William Jackson for two days of Canterbury County Court matters. I was able to observe the operation of civil law and gain a legal insight from the judiciary’s perspective.

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  University of Kent

  Nov 2012 - Jun 2014

  Lead Ambassador

  As a Student Ambassador, I work to promote not only the University of Kent, but University in general. I am responsible for showing prospective students around the campus and answering their questions. The majority of my work is done in local secondary schools. There I inform students about University life and the application process, I then assist those students interested in Higher Education to research and select a course and institution before assisting with personal statements and providing information on accommodation, finance and other aspects of student life. I have recently undertaken work as a Looked After Children Mentor and work closely with Looked After Children to assist them with their academic student at any level.From February 2014 I have been promoted to Lead Ambassador supporting staff in the delivery of activities and ensuring the smooth running of departmental activities. Acting in a deputy role to the event organiser, I assist with supervision of the Ambassador team, including briefing, co-ordinating and debriefing. I act as a link between Partnership Development Office staff, visiting school teachers and students, university staff and Ambassadors. Show less

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  Callin Wild

  Apr 2013 - Apr 2013

  Work Experience

  A two week placement shadowing advocates. I also worked on open cases including fraud, asset recovery, criminal litigation, conveyancing, employment law and possession orders.

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  Simcocks Advocates

  Jun 2013 - Jun 2013

  Work Experience

  A two week placement shadowing advocates. I also worked on open cases including wills and articles of association, High Court claim forms, statements of case, criminal litigation and conveyancing.

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  Isle of Man Courts of Justice

  Jul 2013 - Jul 2013

  Marshalling

  A one week placement experiencing how the courts are operated and organised. I was also able to gain an insight into the Manx legal system from the judicial perspective.

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  Kent Law Clinic

  Sept 2013 - Jun 2014

  Paralegal

  The Law Clinic is a partnership between students, academics and solicitors and barristers in practice locally. It has two objects: to provide a public service for local people who need legal advice and representation but cannot afford to pay for it, and to enhance the education of students in the Kent Law School through direct experience of legal practice.The Clinic has received numerous awards recognising and celebrating its work, most recently having been awarded the prestigious LawWorks Attorney General’s Award 2012 for the Best New Pro Bono Activity for its Access to Land project. It was shortlisted for the legal industry leading ‘The Lawyer Awards' in 2010, 2012 and in 2013, alongside a number of magic circle firms, and in 2007 the Clinic was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, with staff and students from the Clinic collecting the award from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.The Clinic provides advice on Immigration & Asylum, Civil Litigation, Housing Law, Social Security, Employment, Access to Land, and Criminal Justice. Show less

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  Jones & Co Advocates

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2014

  Work Experience

  A one week placement shadowing advocates in this criminal/family firm. I was able to experience working in a firm considerably smaller to other firms, and gain knowledge of how a firm this size is run and marketed. I completed legal research, drafted correspondence, defences, court orders, divorce papers and advice notes. Along side this I attended various courts and observed client conferences.

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  5 King's Bench Walk

  Feb 2014 - Feb 2014

  Mini Pupillage

  A one week mini pupillage with this specialist criminal and family set. I was fortunate enough to work on and later witness, two criminal trials in their entirety. Trials concerned robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, possession with intent to supply a class A drug, possession with intent to supply a class C drug and possession of the proceeds of crime. I conducted legal research prior to the trials.

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  187 Fleet Street Chambers of Andrew Trollope QC

  Jun 2014 - Jun 2014

  Mini Pupillage

  In this one week mini pupillage I shadowed several barristers at numerous London Courts. I was able to see the diverse and ever changing life of a barrister and also experience criminal trials and pre-trial hearings. Over the course of this pupillage I assisted with case preparation, advice and research; witnessing client conferences, preliminary hearings and an assault occasioning actual bodily harm trial where acting for the defence.

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  Furnival Chambers

  Jun 2014 - Jun 2014

  Mini Pupillage

  Whilst with chambers I observed a week long copyright trial at Inner London Crown Court. I shadowed Mr Timothy Forster who was prosecuting. I gained knowledge of copyright and patent law and their interaction with the criminal law. This was a multi agency prosecution including the Federation Against Copyright Theft. I conducted research and completed administrative tasks. I was also fortunate to talk with Mr Forster about the future of the Bar and how a newly qualified advocate could maintain a sustainable career. Show less

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  DQ Advocates

  Jul 2014 - Jul 2014

  Work Experience

  I conducted work experience with Dougherty Quinn for a week. During this time I undertook seats in all departments. I conducted legal research into Isle of Man Tax law, drafted advice correspondence to clients and opposition, reviewed new inquiries, researching and producing advice, drafted articles on niche elements of offshore trust law, attended a conference on the implementation of FATCA in the Isle of Man and finally worked with the conveyancing and private client department in finalising completions, reviewing new case law and completing land registration documentation. Show less

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  Appleby

  Aug 2014 - Aug 2014

  Vacation Student

  Having had little experience in commercial law, I was able to gain a valuable understanding during this four week placement. I wrote a number of reports for the Partners into issues such as the Isle of Man proposed register for company beneficial owners, wind farms, CAT bonds, company articles and limitation. I undertook in depth research into a number of specific areas of Manx law and also contributed to an Isle of Man Government public consultation.

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  Chester County & High Court

  Sept 2014 - Sept 2014

  Marshalling

  I was able to sit on the bench with His Honour Judge Halbert for for a day of County and High Court matters. I was able to observe the operation of civil law and gain a legal insight from the judiciary’s perspective.

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  Callin Wild

  Sept 2015 - Mar 2020

  • Advocate & Commissioner for Oaths

    Sept 2017 - Mar 2020

  • Trainee Advocate & Articled Clerk

    Sept 2015 - Aug 2017
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  Isle of Man Young Lawyers' Association

  Oct 2019 - Nov 2021

  Chairman

  The Isle of Man Young Lawyers' Association (YLA) is made up of Articled Clerks and newly qualified Advocates. The YLA organises a number of educational and social events for its members each year designed to enhance their knowledge of the law and the Manx legal system, as well as providing opportunities to network with members of the Association and other Advocates.As Chairman, I oversee the running of the Association ensuring we continue to provide excellent events for our members. In this role I am supported by a fantastic executive committee. I formerly served as Vice Chair between 2017 and 2019. Show less

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  DQ Advocates

  Apr 2020 - Feb 2022

  Advocate, Commissioner for Oaths & Notary Public
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  Isle of Man Courts of Justice

  Feb 2022 - now

  Legal Officer & Deputy Chief Registrar

  Alexander provides legal advice on all areas of Manx Law to the Island's permanent Judiciary, the Chief Registrar and the staff of the Isle of Man Courts & Tribunals Service.As Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Alexander, together with the Chief Registrar and the Executive Leadership Team, is responsible for the day to day operations of Courts and Tribunals on the Island and external relations with Government Departments, the Executive and Legislature.He acts as the primary Judicial Conduct Officer and, when required, supports the work of the legal adviser to the Magistrates and the Costs Assessment Officer. He is a member of the Executive and Senior Management Teams. Show less