Chapter 3: Winning the Case
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, please deliberate on your verdict."
Judge Harvey Brook reclined in his chair and raised his glass once again.
After a brief discussion among the jury members, a young man in a black woolen coat stood up from his seat, surveyed the room, and exclaimed:
"Not guilty!"
...
Outside the Magistrates' Court on West Vilas Street, Wood Johnson, donning a thick brown jacket on his upper body and loose bloomer breeches below, gratefully rubbed his right hand on the breeches and then stretched, saying:
"Thank you, Mr. Adrian. I truly don't know how to express my gratitude."
Rawls extended his hand, shook Wood's hand, and replied with a smile, "It's my duty, and you've already paid for it, haven't you?"
"No, no, I understand that 10 soli are far from enough for someone of your stature. It's only because of your compassionate and kind nature that you agreed to take on my lawyer's assignment. I had assumed that the funds could only come through my lawyer. I never imagined I could afford to hire a top barrister like you to defend me in court."
In the Loen Kingdom, lawyers are categorized as barristers and solicitors. The latter handle matters that don't require court involvement, such as gathering evidence, consulting with clients, assisting with wills, overseeing property distribution, and providing legal advice. Additionally, they can represent clients in basic magistrates' courts for straightforward cases.
Barristers, on the other hand, are responsible for studying the evidence and advocating for clients in court. In the Ruen Kingdom, they are required to maintain an objective standpoint, which prohibits direct communication with clients. Each barrister is a true legal expert, possessing impressive eloquence and exceptional debating skills."
"Since the two types of lawyers have distinct roles and responsibilities, the litigation costs for parties involved are bound to increase. Typically, both parties need to engage two lawyers simultaneously. In cases concerning royal interests or those that are exceptionally complex, an additional royal barrister might be necessary, resulting in the parties having to bear the expenses of three lawyers simultaneously.
However, for cases like Wood Johnson's, where the amount involved does not exceed one pound, a junior solicitor can provide defense. Nonetheless, due to the differing responsibilities of the two types of lawyers, there might be some discrepancies in their courtroom representation.
In the event that Johnson loses the case, the basic requirement would be to seek the return of the gilded harness and compensation. The judge's ruling could range from branding or whipping to exile in the southern continent or an island, and in severe cases, even the death penalty. Rawls distinctly recalls reading about the harshest sentence given to a 13-year-old boy named Andrew Browning, who was hanged for stealing a spoon.
........
Hillston District, 47 Wutong Road, Adrian Law Firm
Rawls had already changed into a purple dressing gown with gold trimmings. Despite the lawyer's robe being spacious, the stiff, turned-up false collar had been causing him discomfort for the past two weeks.
Leaning against the sofa, Rawls gently adjusted his neck and looked at the young man who was helping him organize the legal precedents.
"Locke, please share your thoughts on Mr. Johnson's case today."
"Mr. Johnson's situation is truly unfortunate. All he wants is for his son to attend grammar school, but..."
"Mr. Grant!" Rawls paused his neck movement and directed his gaze towards the young man standing before him. "Which law school did you graduate from?"
Wearing a double-breasted woolen coat, the blond-haired young man froze in place, staring blankly at Rawls. "Um, I graduated from the Middle Temple, sir..."
Rawls interrupted Grant once again. "Please explain the distinction between a barrister and a solicitor."
Though taken aback by Rawls's sudden outburst, Locke Grant understood that as a trainee lawyer, he needed to embrace the challenges of receiving instructions from lawyers. Failing to do so would hinder his progress in the legal profession. Moreover, Rawls was not only his guiding lawyer but also his employer.
"Barristers are primarily responsible for defense..."
"Yes! Defense! Remember, our job is solely defense, nothing else! You don't need to worry about whether the client is poor or rich, righteous or evil!" Rawls wanted to emphasize the importance of commitment, not allowing Locke to finish his statement.
Locke froze in his tracks. In his perception, Rawls, as the owner of a law firm, provided legal defense to numerous indigent individuals at minimal or no cost. He believed Rawls to be a compassionate and empathetic person. However, Rawls now expressed indifference towards the client's financial status or moral character.
Observing Locke's stunned expression, Rawls spoke more deliberately: "I'm not suggesting that you become a lawyer without principles. This is simply the fundamental principle of being an effective barrister."
"How can that be?" Locke Grant was utterly bewildered, struggling to comprehend Rawls's words.
"What do you believe makes a barrister excel?"
"Acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the law and possessing persuasive speaking skills?" Locke exerted effort to stimulate his mind, yet Rawls's recent statement struck him like a blow to the head, leaving his thoughts in disarray.
"Familiarity with the law can make you a legal expert, and excellent eloquence can make you an orator. However, these are merely prerequisites for becoming a barrister."
"Prerequisites?"
"Yes, prerequisites! To become a skilled barrister, the ability to identify loopholes is essential. These loopholes could be within the law, the opponent's arguments, or more significantly, within the mind!"
Rawls stood up and pointed at his chest with his index finger.
Locke touched his own heart and whispered, "A loophole in the mind?"
"The roles of barristers and solicitors differ due to the traditions of the legal profession. While many argue for their merger, I disagree. When barristers and clients become too closely intertwined, they become privy to too much information. Going too deep can lead to emotional involvement, allowing opponents to exploit the vulnerabilities in your heart. Victory and defeat can be determined in an instant."
Observing Locke, who still appeared somewhat perplexed, Rawls furrowed his brow and remarked, "How did I win this defense?"
"I... um... I apologize, sir." Locke felt like a Curly Haired Baboon.
"First, I gained the jury's sympathy for Mr. Johnson. Then, I utilized the pressure from the jury to extract a confession from Hendler regarding his dealings with Mr. Johnson. Finally, I highlighted the substantial debt Hendler incurred due to the repeal of the Corn Act. The debt rendered him utterly speechless."
"That's how Hendler lost the case when I exploited the loophole in his mindset!"
Rawls patted Locke on the shoulder. "Go rest for now. I intend to take a week off. During this time, you can review my past case files and then attend a few sessions at the police station or criminal court for observation."
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