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24 June 2016 / Dermot Feenan
Issue: 7704 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Emotions at work (Pt 2)

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In the second article in the series, Dermot Feenan explores the approach of the professions to emotion in practice

It is sometimes thought that emotion should have no role in legal practice. Yet, scholars on law and emotion increasingly identify the latter’s place and importance for lawyers.

Emotions are also implicated in health, a matter of growing concern among professional bodies. The concept of emotion regulation has been advanced as a valuable tool for legal professionals. However, there is a complex relation between attending to emotion and professional practice; which calls for clearer understanding of emotions, how they enhance practice, and the relationship with recent health and well-being engagement by the principal professional bodies, the Bar Council and Law Society.

Emotion & law

Emotion is traditionally thought to be inimical to law’s reason, objectivity and neutrality. In this traditional view, emotion should be expunged from professionalism. Yet, psychologists show how emotion can be integrally related to cognition. It can support ethical reasoning, such as caring towards others. Emotions necessarily enter into legal practice. There

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Thackray Williams—Lucy Zhu

Thackray Williams—Lucy Zhu

Dual-qualified partner joins as head of commercial property department

Morgan Lewis—David A. McManus

Morgan Lewis—David A. McManus

Firm announces appointment of next chair

Burges Salmon—Rebecca Wilsker

Burges Salmon—Rebecca Wilsker

Director joins corporate team from the US

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