Family law firm advises clients to avoid solicitors "under 30"
27 August 2010
RollOnFriday is pleased to bring the musings of Arnotts, a family law firm based in Oxfordshire, to a wider audience.
The news and views section of its
website starts off with some pearls of wisdom on divorce ("
pretty upsetting", with "
feelings of guilt, revenge, anger, remorse; but also regret, sadness, past memories, as well as a sense of dislocation and disorientation"). However it then launches into advice on the different types of lawyer and, in particular, the ones to avoid. For example:
"
Paralegals are generally unqualified and are most frequently used in firms which base their practice on legal aid. There are exceptions but by and large they should be avoided."
Riiiight, moving swiftly on:
"
I do believe there are certain sorts of lawyers to avoid. One category is a young lawyer, probably under 30, who has not been in a serious relationship. These are too likely to overempathise and overdramatise and not to understand the family dynamic. They are likely to be oversimplistic and not to have the understanding necessary for satisfactory negotiations. They may be technically competent. There are exceptions. But unless your case is straightforward you are probably better off with someone a bit older."
No stereotypes there then. And surely no self interest either, although eagle-eyed readers may note that the only lawyer mentioned on the firm's website, John Arnott, hasn't seen 30 for a while.
 |
|
John Arnott. Not a paralegal, not 30. Also not female, but that isn't relevant.
|
Still, he presents a more balanced view on some points: "
Should you have a male or female solicitor? Frankly I think it makes little difference". Well done sir, very 1990s.
And he continues with his view on the impact of the downturn on relationships: "
the husband cannot go out with his mates. The wife cannot head off for a session of retail therapy." Oh dear, now you've blown it.
Anyway, he looks just like Menzies Campbell, who by all accounts is a very nice fellow, so he's probably alright.