“It is often forgotten that the Shakespeare quote “Let’s kill all the lawyers” was not a literal message but a suggestion on how to create an autocratic state. News this week that judges have been trained to be more proactive in controlling improper cross examination of vulnerable witnesses has created a backlash against lawyers. However, people commenting about “scum” and “sadistic” advocates forget that it is the parties who create the trial, not the advocates, whose role is to apply the law and represent their instructions.”
