The price of a sigh

Not happy with a judicial ruling? Then keep your displeasure to yourself is the lesson of a recent case in New York, where a lawyer was ordered to pay opposing counsel more than $13,000 (9,000) because her 'frivolous conduct' forced a mistrial in a clinical negligence case.

According to the New York Law Journal, the judge said that through the two-day trial, Christina Gulotta made 'facial displays of displeasure, disgust or frank incredulity' after court rulings, 'coupled with heavy sighs or head-shaking'.

The judge ruled the conduct 'grossly disrespectful to the court'.

Ms Gulotta intends to appeal.