A lawyer’s memorable call ceremony, to say the least

Dirk James Sigalet

Before the dust settled on Dirk Sigalet KC’s robe, it floated between a well-deserved call ceremony and a thrilling murder trial, all within the same day.

Dirk took part in a murder trial as an articling student, dressed in a dark, inconspicuous well-worn suit. He was junior for the defence lawyer of a woman accused of murdering her fisherman husband with a fillet knife.

Dirk was called to the bar the week after the trial began. After his call ceremony, he raced straight to the trial courtroom in his new robes. The trial’s presiding judge took notice of his rushed, hesitant approach to the counsel table, as he needed permission from the judge to sit with the lawyer as an articling student. Proudly, the judge says: “You no longer need the Court’s permission to pass through this Bar and sit at the counsel table. This is now your privilege. Welcome. Now let’s proceed.”

After the murder trial, the Dirk became a solicitor and was later appointed as Queen’s Counsel. Because of its light usage, Dirk is passing it on to those who need it, so they can add more to its illustrious story. As for the murder trial, the woman was found not guilty of killing her husband.

The Robe’s Journey Continues…