Alex Salmond's lawyer quits as head of Scottish legal body

[stumbledin]

The lawyer who helped secure Alex Salmond’s acquittal over allegations of sexual assault has quit as the head of Scotland’s advocates body after a furore over remarks he made about Salmond and his accusers.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/03/alex-salmond-lawyer-gordon-jackson-quits-head-scottish-legal-body

The real concern is knowing that these types of attitudes are common. He just happened to be over heard.

Not sure why he cant leave now, and thinks it okay to stay on until the end of June.

He was badly caught out. Seems a shame.

What do you mean “ badly caught out “? He was over heard loudly discussing confidential information about the case on a packed commuter train !

Client confidentiality is a fundamental principle, followed by respect for the courts. He breached both. It would be bad enough coming from a trainee, far less any one in his position.

Everybody in the legal profession knows you don't discuss client's business in an open, public place.

Having just been through a lengthy court case I think he was badly caught out. The idea that the rest of the legal profession is squeaky clean is unlikely.

OhioOhioOhio What point are you trying to make?

I used to work in an area where people also had to be careful about discussing information in public. It's surprising though how often people do it, as if they don't think that they can be overheard in a public place. I think that there maybe almost a mental block, you have to be conscious about not doing it because it's unnatural. That's all the more reason to have strict rules though.

He was totally unprofessional and at least had the sense to jump before he was pushed.

That he got caught. Tons of the rest don't get caught.

That he got caught. Tons of the rest don't get caught

I still have no idea what point you are trying to make.

Are you banging the "all lawyers are crooked" drum? In which case I can't begin to tell you how bored I am of hearing that.

Or , given you said Seems a shame are you trying to drum up some (weirdly misplaced) sympathy for him?

He has totally breached professional behaviour. He is "dean of the Faculty of Advocates, one of the most powerful posts in Scotland’s legal profession" and cannot continue in that role which sets standards etc..

He wasn't "caught out". He discussed confidential information in a public place.

And yes, I suspect amongst themselves lawyers make totally inappropriate comments about their clients and witnesses. The so called Justice system is basically a game which people are trained to play by and occassionally twist. So I dont think of any of them as being saintly.

It would be no different if a Head Teacher discussed loudly in a public place opinions about a teacher in the middle of a disciplinary or whatever.

I loathe this idea that its okay to behave badly so long as you dont get caught out.

I really can't believe he could be so stupid.

It's right that he is stepping down. Unbelievable carelessness for someone in his position.

Having just been through a lengthy court case I think he was badly caught out. The idea that the rest of the legal profession is squeaky clean is unlikely

It wasn’t a lengthy case at all. It was 11 days. However I don’t see how the length of the case is relevant.

And does every other lawyer in the country have to be perfect before we can take action against one ?

If this is your defence of Gordon Jackson then I suggest you stick to your day job.

There was a similar complaint about him in 2018, when he was overheard speaking about “ moany” child sex abuse victims, who had been witnesses in a case.

www.heraldscotland.com/news/18359149.alex-salmonds-qc-faces-second-complaint-moany-child-sex-abuse-victims-remarks/

He is too stupid and therefore this is the correct thing to do

The remarks were made in the early days of the case when the prosecution was still leading evidence.

Clearly The Times could not break the story until the trial was over as The Times understands the concept of contempt of court.

Clearly The Times could not break the story until the trial was over as The Times understands the concept of contempt of court

Indeed. Unlike some Counsel.

Having been through a court case I would have been horrified if our case had been discussed in that way.
It's the right decision to step down.

@ParkheadParadise

YY people forget that there’s real victims behind each of these cases. It’s not just a legal game.

I remember your story and your much loved sister .