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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

Anthony Collins—William Hallett & Lorna Scully

Anthony Collins—William Hallett & Lorna Scully

Anthony Collins hires two talented legal directors

Switalskis—five appointments

Switalskis—five appointments

Firm expands national abuse compensation team

Mathys & Squire—nine promotions

Mathys & Squire—nine promotions

IP firm announces new partners and senior promotions across UK offices

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Family contact disputes are becoming an increasingly prominent feature of Court of Protection litigation
Material obtained through US discovery applications may have a much longer legal life than many litigants realise
English courts are developing a distinctly practical approach to sanctions disputes arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
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