Richard Harrison considers how to achieve the status of ideal litigator
We all strive towards perfection. As litigators we want to achieve the ideal: to have our letters commended by judges and all our time allowed by the costs office.
Technical abilities
We can all have an understanding of the substantive law. We can all have a grasp of the underlying commercial realities. We must then get to grips with the multitudinous procedural requirements laid down in rules, practice directions, guidance notes and an entire panoply of full-blown court guides. We can follow, and religiously apply, the ample material contained in Gordon Exall’s comprehensive blog Civil Litigation Brief. But, to achieve the status of ideal litigator, something more is needed.
Prophetic abilities
It seems to be expected that each problem we confront, each response we plan, every move we make, we have experienced before. Our practices will be set up to ensure that all steps are taken following properly considered guidelines and that actions are implemented at precisely the right level of fee earner.
Categorisation abilities
We all know exactly what we are doing
