Legal Matters Q&A: James Wood, Partner, Schofield Sweeney

What’s the biggest development you’ve seen in the legal world during your career?

The introduction of the Civil Procedure Rules. The rules came into effect pretty much as soon as I arrived in the profession. In basic terms, the rules are designed to streamline the civil litigation process.

What law would you like to see changed?

Abolition of the payment of referral fees by lawyers. We litigators have got a bad name through the activities of a few “specialist” lawyers.

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It looks likely that I may get my wish – at least in part. Ken Clarke (Justice Secretary) seems to agree that referral fees in injury claims are a bad thing, but why stop at injury claims?

It has created a whole industry of people selling claims and as a result car insurance premiums have gone through the roof.

What is the most exciting work you’ve ever done?

In general – trials. It can be real drama and is the product of many months of work.

I also like to see the theatre of cross examination of a witness on a key point.

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I started my career working on a case that ran to a 10-week trial in London. I saw two QCs do battle in the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand.

It felt a bit odd for a northern lad to be walking to work each day through the main entrance to the Royal Courts, like you see on the TV.

This was my first case as a newly qualified lawyer and ended up in the Court of Appeal.

Who in the legal world do you most admire?

David Mitchell – designated civil judge for central London and former mentor to me when he was based in West Yorkshire.

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What advice would you give someone starting out in the profession?

Understand your client – the law can be quite interesting and engaging but commerciality is the key to everything we do.

No client will thank you for taking a legal point all the way when there is a commercial solution.

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