WHAT THEY DON’T TEACH YOU AT LAW SCHOOL VII: FLAT SHOES & DOUBLE STUFFED OREOS: SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM TWITTER

This series started off as a series of Twitter interactions.  I am gradually making my way through them.  Not all the contributions received were serious. However most have a underlying truth.  I will try to put the remainder of the tweets on in later posts.  In the meantime if you feel disappointed your contribution is not here (yet) or have more to add, there is a Reply section on this site (right at the bottom).

APPEAR TO BE BUSY

 To appear hardworking and committed, send email to solicitor/court/chambers just before you go to bed though written earlier!

— Andrew (@andybarc)

@andybarc Outlook has a facility to automatically send an email later. Very helpful.

— Ben (@1867ben)

SMELL NICE

 is it too late to remind that fragrance in court matters too? Never wear anything that has same reaction as tear gas.

— Mary Aspinall-Miles (@MAM12CP)

NOT PERSUASIVE

https://twitter.com/cayenneleung1/status/820712622018465792

HOW TO HAVE A GRIZZLY END

@DTWorkNew @CivilLitTweet If you dictate with a boiled sweet in your mouth, your secretary will have you killed in a way that would terrify GRR Martin.

— Pablo Von Helsing (@ReasonAboveAll)

CALLING A JUDGE A RETARD IS BAD FORM

When signing an email off to a judge, “Regards” is fine “Retards” not so good #lawschool #spellcheckcantsaveyounow

— Keith Etherington (@K_Etherington)

KEEP LETTERS SHORT

There is very rarely a need to send a letter over two pages in length.

— Jane Radcliffe (@jane_jradcliffe)

WALK WHILE YOU SPEAK

When dictating (if that still exists when you qualify) walking whilst speaking increases the quality of your content tenfold.

— Daniel Taylor (@DTWorkNew)

TWITTER (USED PROPERLY) IS A PROPER EDUCATION

Used correctly, Twitter is a much greater source of CPD than all the webinars in the world.

— Daniel Taylor (@DTWorkNew) 15 January 2017

1:35 PM – 15 Jan 2017

               

Philip Morris
@PhilipJMorris

@hselftax @Adam_Creme @CivilLitTweet I used to dictate “To this end, …”. My PA would always hear it as “To descend, …”

THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR CASE CALLED ON

vicky garner
@garnface

@CivilLitTweet buying a coffee/starting to eat some food is a sure fire way of your case being called on next

(((cayenneleung)))
@cayenneleung1

@ChrisCjwood @CivilLitTweet When young you want to show willing & be useful. BUT: Don’t do home visits alone. Don’t process serve inside hse

Cherwell Bottomley
@MyThisCouldGet2

@CivilLitTweet Always staple inwards, otherwise the file will get its revenge & you’ll bleed over the papers you have to hand out #lawschool

   

Heather Self
@hselftax

@Adam_Creme @CivilLitTweet @PhilipJMorris my Blackberry decided to autocorrect to “Kind retards” for a while. Think I managed to re-correct.

Emma Harris
@MissEmmaHarris

@CivilLitTweet only use yellow highlighters so it won’t show up when photocopied. Do an attendance note or case diary entry for everything.

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet Privately paying client- get money on account. It isn’t uncouth and you are not Barclays. They refuse – dodged a bullet.

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet the judge is usually trying to ask you for help. Listen carefully and don’t assume they are trying to shaft you.

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet The most plausible case will usually beat the most technically brilliant. Judges are people with common sense.

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet Some of your clearest thinking happens in the early hours of the morning at a weekend. Office hours mean nothing…😶

paul nicholls
@paulnicholls

@tonylaw67 @CivilLitTweet so very true, they can sometimes pull great favours with listing too – specially in the mags court.

paul nicholls
@paulnicholls

@CivilLitTweet if you think it’s all about golf and long lunches, it’s not 1983. Unless you’re senior partner in corporate.

paul nicholls
@paulnicholls

@CivilLitTweet I always take time to have or at least offer coffee after a lengthy hearing with my oppo. It is ‘civil’ litigation after all.

hayley
@hmswanson

@CivilLitTweet everyone is inevitably wrong at some point, no matter how convincined they are to the contrary

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet The person who decides: -When you go before the judge; -When you call the client back; Are far more important than you…
Retweeted by Gordon Exall

hayley
@hmswanson

@CivilLitTweet flat shoes essential. Double stuffed oreos also an essential choice for a sugar induced post-lunch energy burst

Philip Morris
@PhilipJMorris

@hselftax @Adam_Creme @CivilLitTweet I used to dictate “To this end, …”. My PA would always hear it as “To descend, …”

Bernard Richmond
@phatsilk_qc

After a short break (pressure of work!!) #NailThatOffer(7)identify, in advance, the weaknesses in your application & what you’ll do about em

Rhys Taylor
@RhysTaylor32

@nfasltd @CivilLitTweet even when delivered by hand and told urgent I’ve seen court staff scuttle in with it at start of hearing! Grrr.

(((cayenneleung)))
@cayenneleung1

@ChrisCjwood @CivilLitTweet When young you want to show willing & be useful. BUT: Don’t do home visits alone. Don’t process serve inside hse

@CivilLitTweet Always staple inwards, otherwise the file will get its revenge & you’ll bleed over the papers you have to hand out #lawschool

@Adam_Creme @CivilLitTweet @PhilipJMorris my Blackberry decided to autocorrect to “Kind retards” for a while. Think I managed to re-correct.

Emma Harris
@MissEmmaHarris

@CivilLitTweet only use yellow highlighters so it won’t show up when photocopied. Do an attendance note or case diary entry for everything.

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet Privately paying client- get money on account. It isn’t uncouth and you are not Barclays. They refuse – dodged a bullet.

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet the judge is usually trying to ask you for help. Listen carefully and don’t assume they are trying to shaft you.

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet The most plausible case will usually beat the most technically brilliant. Judges are people with common sense.

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

@CivilLitTweet Some of your clearest thinking happens in the early hours of the morning at a weekend. Office hours mean nothing…😶

paul nicholls
@paulnicholls

@tonylaw67 @CivilLitTweet so very true, they can sometimes pull great favours with listing too – specially in the mags court.

paul nicholls
@paulnicholls

@CivilLitTweet if you think it’s all about golf and long lunches, it’s not 1983. Unless you’re senior partner in corporate.

paul nicholls
@paulnicholls

@CivilLitTweet I always take time to have or at least offer coffee after a lengthy hearing with my oppo. It is ‘civil’ litigation after all.

hayley
@hmswanson

@CivilLitTweet everyone is inevitably wrong at some point, no matter how convincined they are to the contrary

Mike Winston
@fleetwood_mick

 The person who decides: -When you go before the judge; -When you call the client back; Are far more important than you…

flat shoes essential. Double stuffed oreos also an essential choice for a sugar induced post-lunch energy burst

Emma Harris
@MissEmmaHarris

@CivilLitTweet show initiative. It’s always worth trying to find the solution yourself AND make full and accurate notes.

Paul Roche
@Paul_J_Roche

@aahafezi @CivilLitTweet Which is why you should cite as though your life depends on it….

Chris Wood
@ChrisCjwood

 Don’t let a client sit between you & the only exit from the room. If unavoidable agree a codeword with reception for rescue!
Retweeted by Gordon Exall
10:50 PM – 14 Jan 2017

Use #OCR on your smartphone to capture notes and paste the text into essays. Cite as though your life depends on it.
Retweeted by Gordon Exall

10:39 PM – 14 Jan 2017

t Knowing the diff between “its” and “it’s”, and “your” and “you’re” may just be a means of sifting job applications #lawschool

Rhys Taylor
@RhysTaylor32

 for a short case management hearing there is no more important document than your proposed draft directions. #lawschool

Sally
@sally2109

 Learn to write/type fast and develop some form of shorthand.

Philip Morris
@PhilipJMorris

 And it’s: “We should be grateful if..” Not “we would be grateful if ..” My own boss was very particular on this. #lawschool

10:04 PM – 14 Jan 2017

               

Rowena Kay
@rowena_kay

and,if you are a trainee solicitor, for God’s sake read the firm style guide!

10:04 PM – 14 Jan 2017

               

(((Adam Creme)))
@Adam_Creme

t Try not to do what I did once and send someone *Brest wishes*

Philip Morris
@PhilipJMorris

 Remember: Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms = Yours sincerely Dear Sir/Madam = Yours faithfully Your boss may be a grammar pedant. #lawschool

(((cayenneleung)))
@cayenneleung1

@RhysTaylor32 @CivilLitTweet Best high: LSF+6mths getting bail in chambs “hopeless case” v counsel. (Get surety – just in case) #lawschool

font consistency, margins, punctuation, highlighting color…

Mike
@SchrodngrsTaint

t Become obsessive about details. When you are taking notes, briefing cases, anything… obsess over every stupid thing like

Misha
@LawPleb

 If counsel stopped promising matters would take 5m, in order to queuejump, actual 5m matters would get seen

Ronan Lupton
@ronanlupton

Be the 3 As: 1. Affable; 2. Able; and 3. Available.

9:03 PM – 14 Jan 2017

               

Andrew
@andybarc

but learn who to trust!

Rhys Taylor
@RhysTaylor32

Cases generally turn on their own facts. Don’t be put off or ‘old soldiered’ by a more senior or grand opponent. #lawschool

Christian Jowett
@dr_poca

 Asking colleague is not a weakness.

Karyn Harty
@KarynHarty

t m’learned husband says as a young barrister the most important ability is availability #lawstudent

               

Popehat
@Popehat

 1. Always be writing. Always be improving writing and speaking skills.

Popehat
@Popehat

2. No “networking” or “business development” is ever as important as satisfying your current clients and excelling for them.

Popehat
@Popehat

 3. ALWAYS respond to client emails and phone calls the same day. Even just with a quick “I’ll respond in detail tomorrow.”

Popehat
@Popehat

@CivilLitTweet 4. Sometimes you make money by turning down clients.

Tom Tyson
@MaltonTom

 whatever you do, whatever your specialism, never ever lose your sense of humour. A sense of the patently absurd also helps

(((cayenneleung)))
@cayenneleung1

  How to provide actual legal help to a realistic remedy -v-, what I call, “palliative litigation”.

Rhys Taylor
@RhysTaylor32

@CivilLitTweet your carefully prepared & properly filed skeleton/summary will not have reached the judge. Have a spare to hand. #lawschool

Alex Prentice QC
@alexprenticeqc

 do not, under any circumstances, fall out with the clerk of court

(((cayenneleung)))
@cayenneleung1

 Managing expectations is easier if client is paying. In vol. sector – 3rd party fluffers is risk
Mark Thomas
@MJT1892

 never ever gloat in victory, guaranteed to bite you in the arse.

Karyn Harty
@KarynHarty

 invest your first wages in a decent pair of shoes (that fit you) and look after them #lawstudent

remember that law’s not that difficult. The real skill is knowing what to do with it and when to do nothing #lawstudent

Karyn Harty
@KarynHarty

 always greet the people at reception and get to know the cleaners by name, basic courtesy gets you far #lawstudent

Mena Ruparel
@avoidgravity

students should understand that Suits is a TV program. IRL you’d get struck off before you’d get your first PC #ethics

Nigel Watson
@RemLawGuru

You can have bad partners and the firm will be fine. But if the firm has a bad partnership, watch out.

CONCISE IS NICE

@CivilLitTweet Concise is nice.

— Christian Jowett (@dr_poca) January 15, 2017