All articles by James Morton – Page 4
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NewsSolicitor sent to the gallows
On 31 May 1922 Major Herbert RowseArmstrong became the only solicitor tobe hanged for murder. He may well havepoisoned his bullying wife Kathleen, but didhe have a fair trial?
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NewsTide turns on insanity defence
Credit for the defence of crime passionnel goes to Edwin Stanton, appearing for fellow US Congressman Daniel Sickles of New York.
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NewsGetting shirty over dress code
When I first started in the law, dress in court was all-important.
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NewsDarling of the evening papers
Sir Charles Darling was in some ways forward-thinking. In others he jostled for the title of ‘worst judge in history’.
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NewsWhen defence is a moral dilemma
Can you refuse to act for a client on moral grounds in a criminal matter?
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NewsRecommendation to be regretted
When I first set up on my own, one of my landlords was the irascible Edwin Hornchurch.
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NewsStamping out rookie mistakes
The first time I was reported to the Law Society by another firm came a day or so after I qualified.
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NewsCooper’s chorus of disapproval
In 1942 former Western Australian barrister Reginald Cooper, 40, fell out badly with his protégé, the 23-year-old English chorus girl Peggy Stacey.
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NewsYou win some, you Lewes some
Expert witness Sir Keith Simpson nearly had Morton in serious trouble down at Lewes Crown Court.
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NewsWhen law is all about the money
'Don’t take cases which you don’t understand, particularly for clients who are more experienced than you.’
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NewsA life of crime, law and riches
In the 19th century requirements for entry to the American bar were less stringent.
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NewsSunday cinemas Orpen all hours
When the Sunday Observance Act was passed a 'common informer' could bring a prosecution against theatres or cinemas which admitted patrons on a Sunday.
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NewsExperts getting tied up in knots
The recent roasting of an expert in Reynolds v Stanbury shows how experts can be a liability to the side calling them.
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NewsCutting out the waiting room
I’m grateful to Adrian Brodkin for writing in to suggest a new term for solicitor. But he also chastises me for confusing Clacton with ‘bracing’ Skegness. Mea culpa, which shows I did at least pass my Latin O-level. More than I did geography, which was never my strong suit. After ...
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NewsTime for us to stop soliciting?
Surely, we should no longer be tagged alongside hawkers and canvassers. So what should we call ourselves?
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NewsWhen cat killers end up in court
Steven Bouquet, convicted in June of cat killing in Brighton, seems to have been something of a throwback to the New York of the 1890s.
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NewsCriminal lawyers checking account
What steps should we take or have taken to save a client (and probably others) from themselves?
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NewsDefender of the rich and famous
The flamboyant and talented Francis Lee Bailey Jr died earlier this month.