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13 October 2017 / Jonathan Goodliffe
Issue: 7765 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Looking after number one

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In the first of two articles, Jonathan Goodliffe explains why being incredibly busy is a great way to offload stress

How can you possibly cope nowadays with the pressure of being a top fee earner? You are expected to put in seven or eight chargeable hours a day. On top of that you have to turn up for endless internal meetings. These cover boring things like know-how, Brexit, appraisals, horizon scanning, marketing, directory submissions, financial targets, daily and weekly financial regulation updates, contact and client databases, negligence claims, drinks parties for trainees, unfair dismissal claims from incompetent former staff.

So what’s the solution? You could give up lawyering altogether and retrain as a ‘posh’ plumber or artisan baker. You would then endure the sneers and contempt of or be ostracised by your former colleagues. Or you could have a breakdown, scream and shout at your secretary (if you’re still allowed to have one) or trainee, or get help with (or get on with) your drinking problem.

“ The joy of being incredibly busy is that it allows you

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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