I would like to pay tribute to those advocates who are continuing to attend the magistrates court to represent clients in custody.
This is clearly an unfashionable position to take, as their efforts are met by what appears to be embarrassed silence on the part of the LCCSA and outright condemnation from some quarters.
Speaking of which, another day, another ritual shaming by e-mail of a solicitor who has had the temerity to secure representation for their client at court. I find this pretty unedifying. It has resulted in the person concerned feeling pressured into issuing a grovelling apology and then having to plead to be left alone as her integrity is called into question. I found this spectacle absolutely despicable. I was the advocate who dealt with the case at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court today, and was honoured to do so. As far as I am concerned, neither she nor I have anything to apologise for.
Those of you who oppose attendance at court have ventilated your opinion in this forum a hundred times or more. This constant calling out of people whose views do not accord with your own smacks of an unwillingness to tolerate dissent which I find deeply disturbing.
Those who have continued attending court have provided vital assistance to a great many defendants who have not been afforded the luxury of waiting for virtual court technology to come onstream.
I salute them.
Larry Mathews
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
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...
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------
Date: 08/04/2020 10:19 (GMT+00:00)
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
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 --------
Date: 07/04/2020 20:45 (GMT+00:00)
Subject: COVER Highbury Corner mc tomorrow
Hi is anyone available for a client in custody tomorrow please?
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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: It is business as usual at Powell Spencer & Partners. However during this difficult and uncertain time the health of our clients and staff is paramount. Accordingly our offices are now closed and the majority of staff are working remotely and are available by telephone and email. Appointments in our offices have been replaced with telephone appointments and we will continue to provide robust representation and advice to all clients.
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