Emma, don’t be downhearted.  You have our support here at Foresters.  We have furloughed staff, and as directors, have decided not to attend these places, ourselves.  But in order to be able to justify to any officious intermeddler (thankfully, our CM, and yours, is very sympathetic) at any later date, we have been asking those we know who are able and willing to go out.  Where we find no one, we would not hesitate to refuse to put ourselves at risk, and give the call back to DSCC or whoever else.  Certainly, if it were the case that all in London (or nationally) were capable of industrial action, and had voted to stay out of any attendance in person (PS or MC), then we would be justified frowning on anyone who broke ranks.  As it is, I think those who feel able to attend personally, should not be made to feel guilty, and certainly no one should be targeted (Like Hilda was the other week), for asking.

I don’t think anyone is wrong , nor should anyone feel judged . I don’t think anyone was judging Emma

We are all dealing with a very difficult situation and having to balance our health , our practices and our conscience .

As Emma says it’s the people who don’t put in correct provision in place who we should be targeting , ideally by not attending any hearings at all , but ultimately we are all in this together and I think want to support each other .

I am concerned about members who feel they have no choice but to take work and put selves at risk , given the lack of cushion available to them , and if there is anything that we could collectively do to help them , so that they don’t feel forced to do so , then perhaps that is the discussion we should be having .



If anyone has any further comment about the way my firm conducts its practice, please email me directly rather than emailing all members.

 

To accuse me of putting other people’s health at risk is an awful accusation. If no one is willing to attend, I will inform the court accordingly. I am not responsible for the decisions of others who wish to attend court to pay their bills.

 

As with many others, I am having a very stressful time at the moment. Yes, I’m very lucky that my husband hasn’t died. My father is currently having cancer treatment and so I have the worry that goes with that. This is not a competition over who is suffering the most.

 

Having to endure this criticism for merely trying to fulfil my professional obligations is not helping anyone.

 

Please direct any further comment to those who are responsible for allowing the unsafe practices to continue.

 

Emma Clements 

 

 

 

 

From: Rhean Bailey [mailto:rb@goldmanbaileysolicitors.co.uk]
Sent: 08 April 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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