Changing the subject slightly, does anyone have a colleague or know of a civil firm that can act to apply for an emergency high court injunction to stop a hospital turning off life support? A desperate family seeks one. Thanks.

Regards,

Joe Mensah-Dankwah

Foresters Solicitors Limited

155 Hoe Street

Walthamstow

London E17 3AL

T: 020 8521 5999

F: 020 8521 5996

DX: 32016 Walthamstow

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From: members@mail.lccsa.org.uk <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk> On Behalf Of Jonathan Black
Sent: 08 April 2020 13:06
To: Rhean Bailey <rb@goldmanbaileysolicitors.co.uk>; Emma Clements <eclements@wiseman.co.uk>; Greg Powell <GregPowell@psplaw.co.uk>
Cc: Members <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>
Subject: RE: COVER Highbury Corner mc tomorrow

Following on form Rhean’s email . I am sharing this report form an anonymous source who was duty yesterday .

I’m currently at Xxxxx MC on duty. There are 2 duties in my court. There are no clients that need our assistance.

I’m sat on the seats outside court, which is ok as there are only 3 people on this concourse. Everyone else is sat in court.

I feel pretty uncomfortable being here.

The lawyers/staff that are here do not seem to be taking any precautions whatsoever. I haven’t seen one person use hand gel, despite touching several doors, each other and their faces. There is minimal social distancing. Everyone is touching the same door handles and keypads as everyone else. There are people wearing gloves who then rub their faces, or play with their phone with their gloves they touched the door handle with then put their phone to their face to make a call. Advocates are sitting a couple of seats apart - just like a normal day. There is no restriction on how many can be in court at one time. I haven’t seen anyone (apart from me as I’m armed with a pack of Dettol wipes) wipe down door handles.

It’s crazy. It’s like there is no virus.

I saw a solicitor sneeze into his hand and then use that hand to open the advocates room. Appalling.

I honestly think we should push for duties to be dealt with remotely.

The courtroom I am duty for was cleared earlier to allow an advocate, who had dialled in on the telephone, to have a conference with his client who appeared by video link. This shows it can be done. It is exactly the same system as the Crown Court.

In my view, we should be contacting the court prior to the duty and informing them that we will not be attending in person but that we will dial in. There is no reason for us to be here in person. The courts are not busy so can accommodate extra time for us to have conferences with clients.

It is not ideal, I accept that, but this is an unprecedented time and calls for unprecedented measures.

The issue will be payment. Our contract manager we all need to give us guidance as to how we can claim payment. I can’t see a difference in being physically waiting at court or waiting at home. There should be no problem. I think we need this advice urgently.

Apologies for the length of the email, I just wanted to share my experience and I feel strongly we should be working virtually for now.

Jonathan Black ( Partner)

BSB solicitors

3 Gower Street

London

WC1E 6HA

0207 8373456

Criminal Defence Solicitors | Criminal Lawyers | BSB Solicitors

t @jonblackbsb

t@bsbsolicitors

jonathan.black@bsblaw.cjsm.net

DX 2111 Euston Exchange

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From: members@mail.lccsa.org.uk [mailto:members@mail.lccsa.org.uk] On Behalf Of Rhean Bailey
Sent: Wednesday, April 8, 2020 13:00
To: Emma Clements <eclements@wiseman.co.uk>; Greg Powell <GregPowell@psplaw.co.uk>
Cc: Members <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>
Subject: RE: COVER Highbury Corner mc tomorrow

My view is that anyone still willing to send solicitors to court has to accept that they are putting that person's health at risk in doing so, and then risking onward transmission of CV - to clients, court staff, everyone you come into contact with. Some of us on this group already have loved ones fighting CV in hospital, who haven't been lucky enough to recover at home. It's terrifying and it makes it very real.

Seems to me that attending is directly enabling/condoning the continuation of unsafe working practices at the magistrates' courts. Which would have to change pretty much overnight if we didn't. See: crown courts.

Also have zero ideas how firms believe this is complying with H&S legislation, let alone any kind of employment law.

Yes some courts might try and deal with unrepresented clients and they will need crap outcomes urgently challenging. And yes, this situation is a nightmare for all of us on every level. But honestly, now at a total loss...

Take care, all.

Rhean

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

-------- Original message --------

From: Emma Clements <eclements@wiseman.co.uk>

Date: 08/04/2020 10:19 (GMT+00:00)

To: Greg Powell <GregPowell@psplaw.co.uk>

Cc: Members <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>

Subject: RE: COVER Highbury Corner mc tomorrow

Dear Greg

I absolutely appreciate the seriousness of the situation. My husband is only just recovering from the virus after a very worrying couple of weeks.

I am not sending anyone to police stations. At Highbury Corner and Thames, there is no facility for remote attendance.

I was one of the first to refuse to attend court even before the lockdown and as a result, my client was sentenced in my absence despite the matter being listed only to re-fix a trial date.

Kind regards,

Emma Clements

Wiseman Lee LLP

From: Greg Powell [mailto:GregPowell@psplaw.co.uk]
Sent: 08 April 2020 08:19
To: Emma Clements <eclements@wiseman.co.uk>; LCCSA MEMBER LIST <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>
Subject: Re: COVER Highbury Corner mc tomorrow

My colleagues cousin aged 34 in good health died .

My colleagues best friend s dad , a bus driver , died .

My ex colleagues mother died .

And you are still attending Court ?

If we all do not go remote solutions for a handful of cases will be found .

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

-------- Original message --------

From: Emma Clements <eclements@wiseman.co.uk>

Date: 07/04/2020 20:45 (GMT+00:00)

To: LCCSA MEMBER LIST <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>

Subject: COVER Highbury Corner mc tomorrow

Hi is anyone available for a client in custody tomorrow please?

Kind regards

Emma Clements

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