Lawyers Against the Emergency

Lawyers' Likelihoods

This paper explores whether lawyers can understand and apply the criminal burden of proof, and whether they are able to make the sort of likelihood estimates that the expert witness suggested would help the jurors in the case of R v Adams. The English Court of Appeal expressly rejected the use of mathematical formulae to determine guilt or innocence. With this kind of restraining judgment, it i...

Poking Lawyers and Politicians

A report on the 5th Internet, Law and Politics conference hosted by the UOC in July 2009. The author, who attended the conference as rapporteur and wrote a ‘live blog’ during the two-day event, reviews some of the contributions, reflects on the theme of social networking sites (‘pro or con?’) and explores the different approaches of the disciplines of law and of political science, suggesting th...

Intelligent agents for lawyers

The aim of this paper is to indicate and explore some of the possibilities of using agents in today’s and tomorrow’s law offices. The main function of agents is, in general, to support the user. In this case, a lawyer. To be able to support a practicing lawyer, however, not only is insight in daily practice required, but also understanding of practicing lawyers needs and desires. This position ...

What Are Lawyers For?

What are lawyers for? What social purposes do lawyers serve? What functions underwrite the special obligations and entitlements that accompany the lawyer’s professional role? I shall try, over the course of the next hour or so, to sketch an answer to these questions, at least with respect to lawyers who function as litigators, in adjudication. The answer will surprise many. Lawyers, I shall arg...

The Criminal Trial Before the Lawyers