All articles by James Morton – Page 2
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NewsOf alibis and advocacy
I don’t think I ever encountered a professional alibi witness, but I certainly knew a man who was a professional mitigator.
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NewsBlack mark of hasty legislation
The Black Act 1723 was bad, certainly as far as the rural working classes were concerned.
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NewsMagistrate with a fighting spirit
Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny Bt was, without doubt, a Renaissance man.
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NewsConduct that was unbecoming
Many advocates have had to deal with difficult judges; and judges with some difficult advocates.
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NewsLining up for the morning ritual
An articled clerk shares his firm's ritual for opening the post.
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NewsMulling over asylum strategy
In 2002, Blair thought asylum seekers might be sent to the Isle of Mull. Sixty years ago, the same idea was mooted for top-class criminals.
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NewsCautionary tales for Christmas
James Morton finds some grim seasonal episodes in the legal archives.
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NewsFrom shoplifting to much worse?
Not all thieves will move on to worse, but there is sufficient evidence to show that many of them will graduate.
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NewsBarrister jailed for NZ kidnap plot
In 1992, 46-year-old barrister John Burrett had not long opened chambers in Canterbury, Kent.
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NewsRungs on ladder of corruption?
The path to hell is paved with good intentions. Free coffee is one step along it.
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NewsBeware clients bearing gifts
I have had gifts from happy clients, but generally they have been like those borne by the Greeks.
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NewsPistols at dawn for Aussie judge
Not too many High Court judges have fought duels, but Irish-born Australian Redmond Barry did.
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NewsLawyers set off trigger points
British lawyers handling guns in court did rather well in the last century.
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NewsFalse witness
The most dangerous witness ever must have been in 1928 in Lowndes County, Alabama.
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NewsKeeping schtum
Until 2022 it was over 60 years since a silk had been suspended for withholding evidence favourable to the defence.