Law Society’s Gazette, September 1970

Random ramblingsThis is the time of year, with holidays in full swing, when those who have either been away, or have yet to go, find the working day most frustrating. Clients have a habit of disappearing without telling their solicitors, but are most aggrieved if their solicitors should happen to be away when wanted. To try and speak to one’s opposite number is generally unrewarding, and whoever is standing in for him pleads either ignorance of the matter in question or pressure of work. One little girl who answered the telephone came back with: ‘My gentleman said, what’s it re:?’

I am beginning to change my outlook about the long vacation, and to regard it as a necessary evil provided everyone takes advantage of it. I know it is not possible, but if only lawyers could shut down for a month, it might be better for all in the long run. As it is, work only gets half done and one is always dreading that something of great urgency and importance will arise to add to existing troubles caused by the absence of partners and staff.G. A. Dodsworth

Law Society’s Gazette, September 1980

Social enquiry reportsSocial enquiry reports often contain the most extraordinary information. Sometimes they are prepared as a result of one meeting with the person concerned, and consist solely of what that person tells them. Others are of tremendous help to the court in determining the penalty. I am grateful to the West Surrey Law Society for an extract from a recent social enquiry report prepared by the probation service for the juvenile court at Guildford. ‘He (Johnny) has kept a mouse as a pet and although he has had it for three weeks it is still alive.’Sebastian Culliwick

Humour in the Office – Snake CharmerOn receipt of alleged particulars of persistent cruelty from another firm of solicitors in our area, we found the following particulars included: ‘The defendant kept a boa constrictor as a pet and regularly used it to frighten the complainant, who was not only afraid for her own safety, but also for the safety of her pet hamster whom the defendant threatened to feed to his snake.’Gosschalk Wheldon & Co, Hull