A Barrister's Blog
The Lighter Side of Law
by Paul Cutler
Courteous correspondence
Courteous correspondence (or lack of it) has been the subject of posts to this blog several times in the past. This week I think I have found the low point. A solicitor in the NT was fined $770 (7 penalty units) for this letter to a client:
“Do not call me as your call would most certainly not be welcome … you are the most paranoid, pathetic client I have ever encountered … I suggest you get a life as I now understand why the offender in your matter would have felt compelled to slot you. … I otherwise confirm the settlement amount exceeded your expectations … for which you have expressed all the gratitude of a mangy dog with the heart the size of a split pea, with grub in it.”
I have found a number of references to this quote in ethics papers given by judicial officers and legal services commissioners. None of them give a citation and the matter must pre-date 2006. Those papers sadly also often reference the 1937 quote from US novelist Thomas Wolfe: “The more I have to deal with lawyers, the more I feel as if I have been compelled to take a voyage down a sewer in a glass bottom boat”.
Why do people do this? Conduct rule 4.1.2 to be honest and courteous in all dealings (not just correspondence) in the course of legal practice is not that hard to comply with!
Creative commons acknowledgment for the photograph.
The Xmas Party No. 5
Now that we have returned to a more normal post-COVID life, some businesses will be having their first Xmas party for a few years. I'm sure the employees are happy. Management and HR on the other hand might be aware of some of the pitfalls as the following story...
Frightful Scene
I was recently listening to a true crime podcast and came across a reference to the story of the execution of 59 year old carpenter, John Conn which occurred in Bathurst on 5 June 1872. Thanks to the efforts of the National Library of Australia and their trove...
Inner Bar
One of the things that interested me after the passing of the Queen was the changeover in post nominals from QC to KC and some of the history. Apparently, the office dates back to 1670 (reign of Charles II), when the Privy Council declared that "King's Counsel" took...
The Pirates
On 22 August 2022 (a few days ago), the former listed company Henry Morgan Limited was wound up on the just and equitable ground by his Honour Jackson J in the Federal Court. Henry Morgan Ltd had a services agreement with John Bridgeman Ltd, which in turn managed...
RSS - Posts