Muttley Dastardly LLP: Clarity in everything you do….

From the Desk of Matt Muttley, Managing Partner
It has been drawn to my attention that Nabarro Nathanson, formerly known as ‘Nabarros’, has done a re-branding; shortening their name to ‘Nabarro’ with a strapline ‘Clarity Matters’.
Their new logo was a bit difficult to decipher at first…. looked like tree rings to me, or one of those [...]

Blown it….

Thick and brick, paired, is most appropriate in the case of a new motorist, a brickie, who got a drink driving ban 38 HOURS after passing his test. Apparently the born-again pedestrian, as he know is, went out to celebrate passing his test, got pissed on six pints, went to bed, [...]

Barrister ‘A’: Ego nolo caesar esse…

The Diary of Barrister A: Tuesday 27th February 07
I have set my life upon a cast,
And I will stand the hazard of the die.
Richard III, 5. 4
I have made my position clear. I do not [...]

Sari… so is Jade…

I groaned when I saw The Sun this morning. I have no need to cover the story of Jade’s journey of apology to India when Geeklawyer handles it so eloquently. Geeklawyer is on the slopes skiing - but still manages to blog. I expressed the view in his comments section that I [...]

Here’s Justin!… Podcast time…

Forgive the “Here’s Johnny’ intro - but today I interviewed Justin Patten of Human Law on his thoughts about blogging, where he thinks blogging by lawyers might go and other matters. I also shoehorn a bit of law into the podcast; discussing a return to the bad old days of recruitment to the [...]

Secrets of law and practice…

Secrets to law 101: This YouTube video repays watching. It is short and to the point.
This short extract from Jonathan Goldberg QC’s excellent 2 CD training film on Advocacy in Modern legal Practice will, however, teach you a great deal more. The CD is available from The Legal Practitioner for £29.95 - it [...]

Growing old disgracefully?…

Sir John Mortimer QC, lawyer, author, creator of ‘Rumpole’ and raconteur - may well be 83, but as far as I could see yesterday afternoon at The King’s Head in Islington he still has an eye for the ladies, and put on a great Show. He was assisted in his task yesterday by [...]

Barrister ‘A’: Ad alta

The Diary of Barrister A: Saturday 24th February 07
I am not in the giving vein to-day.
Richard III. 4. 2
The hangover this morning could have been worse. Danielle took me to a Mexican restaurant to celebrate [...]

Saturday brings respite…

There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that I have been approached to advise HRH Prince Airmiles (aka: ‘The Junket of York) on his public image - that is a distinction which must go to Sir Digby Jones, former head honcho at the Confederation of British Industry (fee, reportedly: £1000 a month for [...]

Around the world in 80….

It has been some years since I was last at The Reform Club in Pall Mall. From memory, I am pretty sure I was over refreshed after an extended lunch with a CEO of a leading law school. Be that as it may - the memory of it came into my mind [...]

Barrister ‘A’: Vi et armis

The Diary of Barrister A: Friday 23 February 07
And thus I clothe my naked villainy
With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ,
And seem a saint when most I play the devil.
Richard III. 1. 3
The day [...]

About Charon QC

See ‘The About’ page if you wish to… those of a nervous disposition etc etc. I may well add to the bio as I grow older and wiser…

Friday… caption competition time…

The Sun has the story - but Tim Kevan of Barrister Blog has the video: “Judge Larry Seidlin wept THREE times as he gave custody of the beauty’s body to Richard Milstein.”
What do you think? Could this catch on? What about the opposite extreme of emotion? Will we be seeing judges laughing, perhaps setting [...]

PI Brief Update Law Journal: February 2007 published today…

The PI Brief Update February edition is published online today. I am pleased to say that I am still a contributor… in the marginal sense of writing peripherally on topic. The journal has a great deal of content - articles on personal injury, clinical negligence, medico-legal issues and coronial law. You may [...]

I write from my staterooms in West London

Tonight, I attended a quiz nite. I was not able to assist the quizmasters in their enquiries into the cash for honours farrago. I told them this and they seemed quite happy with my answers. I was able to tell them that I was doing my best not to have an affair [...]

Lunchtime brief…

Verdict on The Verdict: As it happens, I quite enjoyed watching the verdict. Unfortunately, I missed a bit of footage because I was detaining myself at my own pleasure at The Bollo - but, The Times Online comes to my rescue. I tend to agree with the comment made by John Cooper ” [...]

The legal system…

In but a few short weeks we have heard that the legal system is in ‘crisis’, various law officers and senior members of the profession are having affairs,  the prisons are full and barristers are briefless.
However all is not, by any means, doom and gloom. Lawyers are blogging and I’d like to draw your [...]

Spring is in the air…

Judging by the number of press reports about the extra-curricular affairs involving senior law officers (Another one reported in the News of The World today - but his wife knows all about it and it is in the past) and other senior lawyers, I am beginning to wonder if global warming is having, hitherto, [...]

Muttley Dastardly LLP: Inappropriate behaviour

MEMO TO ALL STAFF
From: Matt Mattley, Managing Partner
Re: Inappropriate behaviour
1. On or about Wednesday 14th February I received a Valentine’s Day card from a person(s) unknown.
2. The envelope, addressed to me personally, had been franked, using the firm’s franking machine. There is no record in the new electronic fees system of this postage [...]

What a ’spliffing time’…

With the continuing Press interest in David Cameron’s ’spliffing time’ at Eton as a boy, I just could not resist this excellent popart poster ( I have ordered one for my office).
I was smoking Silk Cut and drinking espresso at a pavement cafe in the only non-middle class area left in ‘Haute-Chiswick’ this morning, [...]