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Jacob Gifford Head

@giffordhead.co.uk

1.8K followers 900 following 10K posts

I'm a barrister & mediator. Things I like include: legal history & legal oddities; music & musical instruments; Mesopotamian history; & Portuguese wine and Port. My professional website is: http://www.giffordhead.co.uk Forgive typos.

www.giffordhead.co.uk

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 2h

I remember that robust letter Jon Holbrook received from Derek Sweeting when he complained about some slight by the Bar Council which was in a similar vein.

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 2h

I had to look up the fourth! (Little Maplestead; I knew about Cambridge and the Temple.) I was amused that Wikipedia provides a list of modern British round churches including the Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool.

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 4h

I usually go to Roti King but it's a small place with a fast turnover so not suitable for a lingering dinner. Alternatively, I quite like Hoppers but that's become a small chain.

rotiking.com

www.hopperslondon.com

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 7h

That's making me feel old! I really miss the tokens! (And tokens generally...)

I don't miss being a tourist and trying to swipe the ticket whilst someone shouts "Faster! No, slower! No, too slow!" at you...

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 8h

Don't worry. Archbold only comes out once a year.

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 9h

This is a great article about legal history.

Dr Robin Douglas @robincdouglas.bsky.social · 1d

Blasphemy is in the news today after Hamit Coskun's conviction for burning the Qur'an was quashed.

I've written an article on what people get wrong about the old blasphemy law and why things have changed less than you might think:

pagesfromahistoriansnotebook.substack.com/p/the-old-an...

The old and new blasphemy law

It was never about God

pagesfromahistoriansnotebook.substack.com

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 10h

Yes. The pressure is always there because litigation is so emotionally and financially expensive, with the parties often facing months of delay and a huge additional bill if you are unwell & need something adjourned.

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 12h

The temptation in the second scenario is, I guess, to tough it out. Though I think people involved in litigation should be more willing to say they aren't up to something and ask for an adjournment. It's hardly going to be helping a client to press on so impaired.

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 12h

I think it would depend on the circumstances. I know of pupils and barristers drafted in to speak for someone else during a long criminal trial but where the person with the lost voice isn't doing too much. Though that is far less an option with a civil trial if you are taking the lead.

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 12h

Yes- of course. It also happened to Theresa May once during the week of the party conference. A real danger!

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 12h

Yes. That's what I'd use, though I do see all sorts of variants. Including an old fashioned "Dear Sirs". Though I haven't yet seen "Greeting"!

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 13h

* woken up

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 13h

I am grateful that the day on which I have worked up having lost my voice is a Saturday... Having the same problem on a Monday when you are about to start a trial is the one otherwise minor affliction that every barrister dreads!

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 13h

The law society promoting the use of the word "Greeting" in the place of "Dear Sirs" has a nice letters patent feeling to it....

"Sue, Grabbit and Run, of the Senior Courts, Solicitors, to our trusty and well beloved Hutz and Co., Greeting!

Please find enclosed by way of service..."

Goodbye to ‘Dear Sirs’, as Society changes guidance

Chancery Lane says outdated term is no longer accurate or representative of legal profession.

www.lawgazette.co.uk

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 13h

The comments section in the LSG has been mad for years for reasons which aren't immediately obvious...

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 13h

That's an amazing story. Thank you for sharing.

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

I had to do a double take there since there's a Seven Stars behind the Royal Courts of Justice which is popular with lawyers. Though it's not generally known for its Bristol Cider...

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

I did this at GCSE and it was painful... I am glad I wasn't alone!

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

My dad passed the Greek paper of his theology degree by learning John's Gospel, which was the set text, by heart in Greek and English. Apparently this was easier than studying the language!

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Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

It also reminds me of when I practised in crime & the s38 court appointed legal representative scheme was used to prop up the legal aid system. Duty solicitors would say they were applying for legal aid but ask for a back-up s38 order in their favour in case it wasn't granted. 2/2

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

That's an interesting post. I'm glad I'm not the only one to raise an eyebrow at the President's decision in this case. I just don't see how someone can complaint about the QLR if that person could do the same job not as a QLR but as a conventionally instructed lawyer. 1/

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

There is a "going equipped" offence, though I'm not sure often it is prosecuted.

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

Thank you ebay app. But I am actually just window shopping...

A notification from ebay telling me than an offer for a £4.8K for a Portative Organ is about to expire.

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

Lots of entertainment there from the Ecclesiastical Law angle too.

Jacob Gifford Head @giffordhead.co.uk · 1d

It wouldn't be that since no-one actually buys volume 2.

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