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How to lose followers on Twitter – a helpful guide for lawyers and legal journalists

@James Walsh "The Twitter joke trial was a fine example of this, a pure construct of Green, with a little help from Fry and Murray." It was more that it was of natural interest to tweeters and it was the first case of its kind to get to appeal. "No cause célèbre at all: Chambers pleaded guilty after a duff legal ruling by magistrates..." Incorrect. There was no "legal lruling by magistrates". Paul pleaded guilty before a single district judge who then allowed him to vacate the plea. "...and he was unlucky on first appeal to come before a particularly asinine circuit judge, sitting with two more lay justices." The Crown Court appeal was the first time lay magistrates were involved. "It goes to the High Court and is put right." At the first High Court hearing the judges were split 1:1. Exceptionally, and only for second time this century, the court had to reconvene with three judges. Not very straightforward. "At the heart of the case a very simple point with a very simple answer - was the tweet menacing?" With benefit of hindsight, yes. But until High Court decision, it was not clear what, if any, basis an appeal may be suceessful on. "What exactly was Green's role in this, as solicitor? The appeal required no preparation at all and would have been entirely advicate [sic] driven." Indeed, I was part of a team and we worked well together. "But look at the self-generated coverage and you would think Mr Green was the capes [sic] crusader." A little harsh? You will see that John Cooper did most of the press and TV coverage on verdict, not me. For a supposed "self-publicist", I am dreadful with cameras and microphones!

13-Aug-2012

11:27 am