From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and announces
"I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.
If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member of the public?
Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who used
to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own
solicitor?
Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower where
the mind wanders free.

Cheers


Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

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From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 04/10/2025 13:45, David wrote:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and announces
"I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.
If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member of the public?
Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who used
to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own
solicitor?
Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower where
the mind wanders free.

It sounds like an attempt to intimidate others at the meeting. But
either he's paying his solicitor to sit there, or it's a friend who is a solicitor doing it for free.

Actually, it might also mean that the person who has brought his
solicitor is scared of the other people and doesn't have the confidence
to speak up for himself.

Depending on the nature of the meeting, you could say that the solicitor
isn't allowed to address the meeting. Or that whatever opinions he
expresses would require others at the meeting to obtain their own legal
advice before agreeing anything.

Perhaps someone should keep a written note of what is said at the
meeting or ask if he can record the sound on a smartphone on condition
that copies of the recording are supplied to everyone.



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From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 04/10/2025 17:17, The Todal wrote:

On 04/10/2025 13:45, David wrote:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and announces
"I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.
If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member of
the
public?
Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who used
to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been
forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own
solicitor?
Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower where
the mind wanders free.

It sounds like an attempt to intimidate others at the meeting. But
either he's paying his solicitor to sit there, or it's a friend who is a solicitor doing it for free.

Wouldn't the solicitor need to be knowledgable about the specific area
of law that is relevant to the meeting?

It could also be a professional firm acting pro bono if there is a
charity or other impecunious good cause involved. We have had such legal advice in past negotiations.

Actually, it might also mean that the person who has brought his
solicitor is scared of the other people and doesn't have the confidence
to speak up for himself.

That isn't at all uncommon. Comparatively few people are happy
addressing a large (hostile) crowd of people or being interviewed by TV.
Even people who are media trained can find it difficult.

Depending on the nature of the meeting, you could say that the solicitor isn't allowed to address the meeting. Or that whatever opinions he
expresses would require others at the meeting to obtain their own legal advice before agreeing anything.

Perhaps someone should keep a written note of what is said at the
meeting or ask if he can record the sound on a smartphone on condition
that copies of the recording are supplied to everyone.

An audio record and transcript of what was said circulated to all
participants afterwards would seem to be one way to avoid claim and
counter claim of what was said and agreed at the meeting.

Certain unruly PC meetings during lockdown went viral. Many council
meetings are now hybrid with video internet feeds of the proceedings
(and available afterwards as a public record).
--
Martin Brown


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From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On Sat, 04 Oct 2025 17:17:56 +0100, The Todal wrote:

On 04/10/2025 13:45, David wrote:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and announces
"I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.
If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member of
the public?
Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who
used to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been
forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own
solicitor?
Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower
where the mind wanders free.

It sounds like an attempt to intimidate others at the meeting. But
either he's paying his solicitor to sit there, or it's a friend who is a solicitor doing it for free.

Actually, it might also mean that the person who has brought his
solicitor is scared of the other people and doesn't have the confidence
to speak up for himself.

Depending on the nature of the meeting, you could say that the solicitor isn't allowed to address the meeting. Or that whatever opinions he
expresses would require others at the meeting to obtain their own legal advice before agreeing anything.

Perhaps someone should keep a written note of what is said at the
meeting or ask if he can record the sound on a smartphone on condition
that copies of the recording are supplied to everyone.

Thanks.
My feeling was it would be intended as a "power play".
Sort of "I've brought my big brother with me.".

Just musing on if it is actually an effective power play through any
special attributes of the solicitor, or if in this circumstance the
solicitor is no more than a normal member of the public.
Or perhaps even less, because if engaged by our hypothetical member would
they qualify as an independent witness?

As I say, idle speculation in the shower which leads down all sorts of
rabbit holes.

Cheers



Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

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From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 04/10/2025 13:45, David wrote:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and announces
"I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.
If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member of the public?
Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who used
to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own
solicitor?
Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower where
the mind wanders free.

Whilst 'idle speculation in the shower where the mind wanders free'
doesn't turn on the specifics of the issue at hand, in other locations, specifically the hypothetical possible "contentious meeting" in
question, the matter may well turn on such specifics.

For example, if the 'might be a contentious meeting' is a disciplinary
or grievance hearing at work, then the contract of employment may
stipulate that the employee has the right to bring a solicitor with them.

If the contract does not permit this, then if the outcome of the meeting
could lead to the person being barred from their profession then they
may have a legal right to have their solicitor present at the meeting.
(ECHR, Article 6).

Similarly, if the employee has a disability, it may be considered a "reasonable adjustment" (under the Equality Act 2010) for them to be accompanied by their solicitor.

Finally, if the solicitor is an accredited representative or is a
certified trade union official they must be permitted to accompany an
employee to such meetings. Ditto if the meeting is early conciliation,
(a process with Acas), the chosen representative may be a solicitor.

And that's just one (Ed: three (disciplinary, grievance and early conciliation!)) type(s) of meeting.

Other types of meeting exist for which different answers will be available.

Regards

S.P.

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From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 13:45 4 Oct 2025, David said:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and
announces "I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.

If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member
of the public?

Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who
used to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own solicitor?

Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower
where the mind wanders free.

Cheers

Dave R

You mention the possibility of the solicitor being a witness or forming
a legal opinion but a recording can make an equally good witness and a
legal opinion needn't be formed at that time.

I wonder if such a solicitor's presence would be for him to speak up on
behalf of his client ... making points in the discussion, perhaps
referencing points of law or issuing a warning.

By the way, how would participants know he's a genuine solicitor? Is a
genuine solicitor required to reveal his qualifications (or even his
identity) to a meeting?


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From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 4 Oct 2025 at 18:47:36 BST, Simon Parker wrote:

On 04/10/2025 13:45, David wrote:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and announces
"I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.
If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member of the >> public?
Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who used
to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been
forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own
solicitor?
Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower where
the mind wanders free.

Whilst 'idle speculation in the shower where the mind wanders free'
doesn't turn on the specifics of the issue at hand, in other locations, specifically the hypothetical possible "contentious meeting" in
question, the matter may well turn on such specifics.

For example, if the 'might be a contentious meeting' is a disciplinary
or grievance hearing at work, then the contract of employment may
stipulate that the employee has the right to bring a solicitor with them.

IME of a unionised workplace that's usually the case in formal procedures - disciplinary, say.

At the informal stages it's less clear, and can appear aggressive, defensive etc. To soften the blow advocates could be invited on the condition they do
not participate in the meeting unless at the invitation of the chair, or whoever's in charge.

Generally worked (again) IME - although in the capacity of a union officer rather than a solicitor.
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 04/10/2025 05:17 pm, The Todal wrote:

On 04/10/2025 13:45, David wrote:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and announces
"I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.
If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member of
the public?
Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who used
to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been
forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own
solicitor?
Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower where
the mind wanders free.

It sounds like an attempt to intimidate others at the meeting. But
either he's paying his solicitor to sit there, or it's a friend who is a solicitor doing it for free.

Actually, it might also mean that the person who has brought his
solicitor is scared of the other people and doesn't have the confidence
to speak up for himself.

Depending on the nature of the meeting, you could say that the solicitor isn't allowed to address the meeting. Or that whatever opinions he
expresses would require others at the meeting to obtain their own legal advice before agreeing anything.

Perhaps someone should keep a written note of what is said at the
meeting or ask if he can record the sound on a smartphone on condition
that copies of the recording are supplied to everyone.

Perhaps the meeting will be in a room equipped with a Neal recorder?

It isn't only the police who have them.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 04/10/2025 07:05 pm, Pamela wrote:

On 13:45 4 Oct 2025, David said:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and
announces "I've brought my solicitor with me!".
Presumably as a witness.

If as a witness, do they have any more weight than any other member
of the public?

Say a GP or MP or bank manager (what's that??) or all the others who
used to be able to witness a signature on an official form?

If to provide a legal opinion, should others at the meeting have been
forewarned so that they could consult and possibly bring their own
solicitor?

Also have been forewarned about the legal issues to be discussed?

Not a current issue, just the usual idle speculation in the shower
where the mind wanders free.

Cheers

Dave R

You mention the possibility of the solicitor being a witness or forming
a legal opinion but a recording can make an equally good witness and a
legal opinion needn't be formed at that time.

I wonder if such a solicitor's presence would be for him to speak up on behalf of his client ... making points in the discussion, perhaps
referencing points of law or issuing a warning.

By the way, how would participants know he's a genuine solicitor? Is a genuine solicitor required to reveal his qualifications (or even his identity) to a meeting?

As I understand it, it's a criminal offence for any person who is not a solicitor to represent that he/she is a solicitor (same for counsel),
for any professional purposes.

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From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On Sat, 04 Oct 2025 12:45:14 +0000, David wrote:

Someone turns up at what might be a contentious meeting, and announces
"I've brought my solicitor with me!".

The first issue might be (a) do all parties agree (or have to) and (b)
gaining physical access. In all workplaces I have been in there would be
no obligation to allow an employees solicitor into the building. And
similar issues would arise if the meeting were held in a private location.

(I realise this applies more to workplace issues).

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