Tip No. 4. Some things don’t change…

In the 21st century we show video recorded depositions to the jury and use power point presentations to illustrate our arguments at trial… but counsel should nevertheless remember that “when the Court have delivered their opinion, counsel should sit down and not dispute it any further” as Chief Justice Jefferies advised counsel in the Case of Titus Gates (1685). In 1688, Sir Robert Wright, Chief Justice of the King's Bench at the Trial of the Seven Bishops admonished counsel to “First settle what the case is, before it be either proved or argued.” The Chief Justice further admonished counsel to “Produce that which is evidence, and not spend our time on that which is not.” And finally warned, “If you do say anything more, pray let me advise you one thing: don't say the same thing over and over again, for after so much time spent, it is irksome to all company as well as to me.”