Law: Briefs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir Leonard Peach's recommendation for greater self-appraisal in the judicial selection process was warmly welcomed by the Lord Chancellor last week. The idea is that judges should habitually ask themselves questions such as: "What have you found most satisfying about the work in the past year?" and "How could you have been more productive or successful?"
Lord Irvine, giving his blessing to the proposal, told journalists: "My life is a continuous process of self-appraisal with a good deal of assistance from the press in making that self-appraisal... It's a novel idea and good for the soul."
It would be interesting to know how much time he's spent considering question number eight: "On reflection, what views do you have of the procedure which led to your current appointment?"
u
A LOT has been said about the pressures facing young City lawyers. But what about legal journalists? Last month the stress of meeting unrelenting, weekly deadlines took such a toll on staff at Legal Week - the magazine run by former staff from The Lawyer - that the management decided to give everyone a free massage. And no, it wasn't the case of the editor personally attending to each of her journalists by applying subtle pressure. The management paid for a masseuse.
u
IT'S NOT just lawyers and journalists who are suffering from stress. Figures released today by the Trades Union Congress show that stress- related cases have increased by 70 per cent with unions taking 783 legal cases in 1998 compared to 459 the previous year. But the stress case thatall litigation lawyers are waiting for is the one where the Christmas shopper sues a department store for contributing to his or her Yuletide breakdown. It would be a litigation of truly biblical proportions.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments