Matthew O'Neill

Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇

What an embarrassing spectacle the @HouseofCommons is. Grown men and women who can’t keep their mouths shut. Pointing their fingers, pathetically waving bits of papers all whilst the the country sinks further and further into the hole it has become.

“Jury trials are a fundamental part of our democratic settlement”. Interesting you say that @DavidLammy 🤔 Beyond embarrassing that this is what the first @UKLabour in 14 years is resorting to.

Judgment has been given this morning in the matter of Daly (Appellant) v His Majesty’s Advocate (Respondent); Keir (Appellant) v His Majesty’s Advocate (Respondent) (UKSC 2023/0107; UKSC 2023/0123): supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-202…

In the face of @ScotGovJustice continued refusal to engage in meaningful talks with the profession, the SSBA has been left with no option but to step up our disruptive action.

Newly announced plans for legal aid fail to reflect the urgency and scale of the crisis in access to justice. Responding to proposals published today by the Scottish Government, the Law Society’s legal aid co-convener Ian Moir said: “The Scottish Government has finally acknowledged that legal aid is in trouble. However, at a time when legal aid is burning to the ground, the Scottish Government has put in an order for a bucket rather than calling the fire brigade.” Read our comment: bit.ly/4hWjBga

The latest practice note is really a terrific read, what with so many Legal Aid solicitors around to carry out all the work…

@broon313 😂

@GSLP_Matthew You have no idea...👀

Happy Brown Shoe day for those that celebrate it. #style icon @Broonjunior @hollanda3

Lawyer of the Month: Ian Moir scottishlegal.com/articles/lawye…

If the minister wants talks, she should have perhaps answered our last email of 2nd October seeking them.... The SSBA has had no contact of any kind from @scotgov since July.

This crisis could easily have been averted but is very real now and probably beyond saving. Any last chance needs urgent and genuine investment or the lawyers with experience will all be away to better paid less stressful and antisocial jobs. #DefendLegalAid

@mmmGLA Electorolyes first thing for sure…will need to go some to actually try avocado again. Although, my teenager like palate needs to be diversified 😂

This was my reminder to look after myself today. 5 years ago I would’ve been ashamed to post this and instead beaten myself up for feeling exhausted but certain cases are hard to leave in the office. I’m not some fairy godmother and no one might care but look after yourself.

Meanwhile, the @scotgov/@ScotGovJustice approach to the situation is:-

@ifellonithonest It could! The fear of the instructor tutting at me while on my spinning bike or mid boxing circuit class though has put me off from checking though.

@GSLP_Matthew Does a big skull and crossbones ever flash up when the heart rate is too high? That would tempt me to get one

@ifellonithonest After my circuit class last week, my takeaway was I didn’t die! 😂

@GSLP_Matthew I’ve managed to get into a routine of 4 hiits per week, suspect a device that confirmed my feeling that I was about to die halfway through them would not help! 😂

@ifellonithonest Haha, I hear you! Short term it has motivated me to get back into the gym…long term the Jury is still out 😂

@GSLP_Matthew I would end up either obsessing over that or throwing it in a drawer to hide the bad news!

@ifellonithonest A Whoop band. Bought it to track fitness but goes in to so much more. Tracks sleep, heart rate and lots of other things I have never heard of. Finding it really handy.

@GSLP_Matthew What is this?