White Dalton Blog

Well, I’ve been here a month now so thought it was time to tell the tale of how I joined White Dalton.  It all started earlier this year when I approached the firm in the hope of joining.  However, as you may know, to work here as a lawyer you not only have to be able to do the law but you also have to have a full bike licence.

Having thought about riding in the past, but having never quite got around to it,  I figured that accepting the job here would enable me to do so.  Besides, how hard could it be to pass a test!!!  Little did I know what lay in store; but, always up for a challenge, I set about getting some training – the first of many hurdles! I struggled to get a recommendation as everyone I know who rides has been doing so for 20+ years and are out of touch with the numerous law changes over the years and, consequently, were of little help.  When I did find a recommendation I found the training schools were completely booked up with people trying to pass before the New Test came into force.  This was not good news and I became convinced that the New Test must be dreadful and I would have to try and pass the Old Test.  But I still hadn’t even had any training!

At last I found somewhere with availability but unfortunately I soon discovered why.  They were fine if you wanted to get a quick CBT on an automatic but of limited help otherwise.  I lasted 5 minutes at Training School number 2 and have tried to block the experience from my memory.  Thankfully, it was 3rd time lucky; I found a great School and after 10 cold, wet and windy hours I walked away one Sunday evening with my CBT certificate.  Within a week I’d bought my bike and was practicing every chance I got.  I couldn’t get any more training though, as everywhere was booked and I couldn’t get a Test for the same reason.  Every day I phoned the DSA to get a cancellation. I absolutely had to take the Old Test!  Eventually, I did get a cancellation and took the test 2 days before the New Test came into force.  Unfortunately, I failed!  I was destined for the New Test….

So, back to the lovely Training School I went to find out what this New Test, that everyone was trying to avoid, was all about.  Another day spent in a wet, cold carpark doing off road exercises; the most controversial of which was the high speed swerve avoidance.  In practice, there is avoidance but, thankfully not too much swerve!  However, you do have to get up to a minimum speed of 50km/h prior to the avoidance. l practiced hard, took the test the following week in torrential rain and went through at 49km/h (twice!) – I failed Module 1.  Somewhat disheartened but resilient I tried to book another Test straight away but could only get one through the training School.

Before taking the Test again I also had to endure another days training – more wet carpark work!  By the time I sat Module 1 for the second time I was ready, still ridiculously nervous, but confident(ish) and I went through at 53km/h – job done!  Just Module 2 to go a week later.  Well actually, I ended up taking it 2 weeks later because I got stuck in traffic and missed my test and had to re-schedule.  But, anyway, Module 2 is just a road ride; except you’ve got someone watching your every move and you feel as though you’re going to have to pull over and throw up at any moment!  Horrible experience but after 40 minutes and 2 minors the ‘pass’ box was ticked and it was all over…..Well actually, it had just started really but I was so glad to have passed…..put me in front of a Judge to argue the most difficult of cases against the most difficult of opponents any day in preference to taking that Test!!!

After a career at the leading personal injury firm Beachcrofts, Rebecca wanted to return to practice on the Claimants side. Having had a long interest in motorcycles, but not having passed her test, she looked at the specialist motorcycle firms. She wanted to work for an ethical law firm that was not tied into insurers or the buying and selling of injured motorcyclists claims, and having passed her new style motorcycle test joined White Dalton.

Rebecca’s current and previous practice involves fatal accident claims, paraplegic work (her first ever case was defending a claim by a paralysed pillion rider) and the full range of motorcycle cases including highways cases.

Rebecca brings a very fresh perspective to White Dalton, having being an associate partner in a massive and well respected Defendant firm, and is our poacher turned game keeper.