One of the guiding principles of advocacy is: BE BRIEF.But, sometimes, just occasionally, some lawyers aren’t brief, even if briefed to be brief. (Who knew?)I think sometimes, it’s the fear of missing something. We all live in fear of losing a case on a point that we could have covered, but deliberately didn’t cover in …
Continue reading Flesh out argument but bare bones preferred
Following the Court of Appeal’s decision in Chaouk — discussed here — Victoria Legal Aid last week announced that it was restoring funding for solicitors when required in criminal trials.It’s certainly welcome news, and will prevent what looked like an impending logjam in quite a few trials.But it hasn’t really addressed the chronic underfunding by the …
Continue reading Criminal trial funding restored, but Legal Aid still needs help