Legal Research

"Humour and Legal Advocacy: Use It... with Care"

Posted by Dan Michaluk: "When, if ever, is it appropriate to use humour in a hearing? And what boundaries should lawyers respect?

This, my first slaw.ca post, has been a great opportunity to read a little, think a little and affirm my belief that humour is an important advocacy tool, though subtlety is the key to its successful use.

My interest in the subject of humour and advocacy began at an Advocate's Society lunchtime session a few years ago. In debriefing a mock examination, one of our well-respected Superior Court judges took great exception to a flippant remark made by a witness. She turned her gaze to the audience of lawyers and warned us never to use humour in court. She was sobriety personified, and her warning stuck with me. I can still hear her words: "Ours is a very serious profession."

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Source: Slaw, 19 August 2009

Full post as published by Stark County Law Library Blawg on August 19, 2009 (boomark / email).