Read on Twitter
With apologies, a thread. /1
As I approach my last court hearing of the year and Sleep hoves into view I wonder how we will look back on 2020? /2
Surely immense pride? The system of justice for children kept going. Arguably, it speeded up. /3
And all those awesome Judges, Instructing Solicitors and colleagues at the Bar kept it going. True there was some naysaying at the start (no more than human nature in operation) and it felt like the powers that be weren't happy for a bit but we kept it going. /4
We switched an entire system of Court based justice from in-person to remote. Overnight. Just think about that. Just think about what else we might do if we tried. /5
And all those families, clients and children received the decisions they craved, even if they did not all like all of the outcomes. /6
And yes, I am not hiding from it. The income stream of a number of professions including my own was maintained. That is not something to be shy about. That is important. Less stress, heartbreak and pain all round. /7
We all know people much less fortunate who have been severely hit by 2020. The criminal bar and my friends there for one. Everyone who has been worried about their health or lost someone. Or been lonely in lockdown. It has been grim. /8
But. And I think this is what I am taking from 2020, I must not take it all for granted. I don't think I ever have, but 2020 has brought home how lucky I am to be allowed do this job. Almost everyone I know in the job feels that way. It is a privilege. /9
And I miss courtrooms, but not as much as I thought. I like remote cross examination more than I thought I would. I do miss the direct in-person interaction, serious as well as craic-based. There have not been enough pornstar martinis, barstools, hat shops and dinners. /10
Massive thanks are due to loads of people. The @FamilyLawBar and my roomate CLQC, obviously. (Though that eagerly awaited time is coming into sight when Cyrus must give up the FLBA twitter feed and strike out on his own account. I want one more "How Rude" before midnight). /11
So 2021. Be afraid. Be very afraid. We are coming for you. And we are going to wring every last bit out of you. Good luck to you. I know who my money is on. The Family Bar. /12
