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17 March 2021 / David Locke
Issue: 7925 / Categories: Features , Covid-19 , Profession
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An ode to the old normal

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Not every change to our working lives post-COVID is a step forward: David Locke laments the loss of pre-pandemic positives

Despite the hyperbole, 2020 was neither unprecedented nor apocalyptic; yet the most pernicious phrase to gain traction, first in the media then across the professions, must surely be ‘the new normal’. When spoken, it tastes a bit like surrender. In action, it can look a bit like seizing upon the prevailing situation for commercial advantage. It is certainly not that we cannot learn many lessons from the ways in which the legal professions and institutions have adapted to the current crisis. However, some of those lessons may be that we were doing it rather well before. Consider these examples.

Courts

To generalise, the administrative function of the courts has been grievously affected by the pandemic. Applications are turned around much less efficiently than before, and hearings are being delayed. That is no criticism—it is entirely to be expected. However, the courts have by and large been admirably adept in

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