"Can you imagine a barrister having to start again as an articles clerk because he changes chambers, or a Senior Consultant becoming a Junior Houseman because he changes hospitals? "
Well, let's see.
Barrister changes chambers, only if he gets a better offer because he is good, or sacked,** if the latter he won't have too much choice about his position, (as a barrister), in his next firm will he? He will be a junior barrister within his new firm and not a partner one would think, until he has proven himself and overcome the reason for his sacking, unless, of course, he gets sacked by a big firm and then joins a small firm, hardly a 'step across' or 'up' is it?
** Major personal confrontations between senior barristers/partners of proven qualities excepted.
Senior Consultant becoming a junior houseman because he changes hospitals. Senior Consultants usually have their own rooms and only do what they want to do at hospitals. Hospitals are not famous for going bust either, always more than enough customers, so not a reasonable comparison is it? Compare it to there
always being a need for DEC.
Sorry Dan, you haven't made a point. (Well, that is my 2cents, anyway,
).