Jasmine Murphy

Sophocles wrote (in the words of John Moore's translation of the tragedy of Ajax): "It is a painful thing to look at your own trouble and know that you yourself and no one else has made it". That, in my view, is the predicament in which the Claimant ("Mr Dowding") now finds himself.

Contender for best opening lines of a judgment thanks to Richard Spearman KC:
“Sophocles wrote (in the words of John Moore's translation of the tragedy of Ajax): "It is a painful thing to look at your own trouble and know that you yourself and no one else has made it".”

We are thrilled to share that our current pupils, Imogen Gander and Miranda Sadler, have accepted offers of tenancy at Gatehouse Chambers. Congratulations, both! 👏

BYOPLANET INTERNATIONAL LLC v. PETER JOHANSSON CHARLES GILSTRAP (2025) | FindLaw Case opinion for United States District Court, S.D. Florida. BYOPLANET INTERNATIONAL LLC v. PETER JOHANSSON CHARLES GILSTRAP. Read the Court's full decision on FindLaw.

US attorney uses Chat GPT with fake cases in 8 claims. Then files a response to a 'show cause' order on fake citations containing multiple fake citations. Claims dismissed, costs sanction, & like a branding, must exhibit the sanctions order to any future claims.

caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-dis...

Sophocles wrote (in the words of John Moore's translation of the tragedy of Ajax): "It is a painful thing to look at your own trouble and know that you yourself and no one else has made it". That, in my view, is the predicament in which the Claimant ("Mr Dowding") now finds himself.

Contender for best opening lines of a judgment thanks to Richard Spearman KC:
“Sophocles wrote (in the words of John Moore's translation of the tragedy of Ajax): "It is a painful thing to look at your own trouble and know that you yourself and no one else has made it".”

‘A relentless, destructive energy’: inside the trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon The long read: An intimate account of an unprecedented trial

A detailed, fascinating piece of court reporting about a notorious retrial and a tragic case. www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...

25 of the funniest posts we’ve seen on Bluesky this week Welcome to our mid-week round-up of Bluesky’s funniest posts – in our opinion, obviously. Every one of these 25 gems has put a smile on our faces over the past seven days, and we hope they do the same...

You’ve got into the Poke’s funniest Bluesky posts with this one www.thepoke.com/2025/06/04/2...

When “without prejudice” correspondence attacks! (Morris v Williams) The recent judgment in Morris v Williams [2025] EWHC 218 (KB) is a solemn reminder that marking a letter “without prejudice – save as to costs” will not always result in the contents being inadmissibl...

Latest by me: gatehouselaw.co.uk/when-without...

Sounds like #AI strikes again…

The man in the automated message on the Manchester Civil Justice Centre phone number genuinely sounds unhinged. It only gets worse the longer you listen. Just wait for the bit about bailiffs. Who approved this???

It could be worse.You could have got this

For anyone heading to court in Exeter - nearby in Magdalen Rd is Stage - a small restaurant that is gaining a reputation. They only do one menu - and they’ll only tell you about when it the courses arrive at your table. Friendly staff, amazing cooking and all local flavours. More here:

OPENING LINES OF JUDGMENT IN 2024: GIVING THE OTHER SIDE A CHANCE TO OBJECT, NELSONIAN POLICY MAKING,HERDS OF CATTLE AND WHY THIS BLOG CAN NEVER GIVE THE LAST WORD ON SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM… We are at the time of year when we can look back at some of the opening lines of judgments.  This year it is clear that this is an international contest.   THE SUPREME COURT STARTS OF THE YEAR…

The annual review of opening lines of judgments this year www.civillitigationbrief.com/2024/12/27/o...

Oh dear…

Occupying myself in these cold evenings knitting up a stack of soft merino headbands - for those days when you feel a bit chilly indoors but can’t bring yourself to put on a hat. All the comfort of a hat round the ears but lets your head breathe.

“Valedictory for the Man the Myth the Legend”
Matthew Carter to be praised at Canterbury Crown court on Monday, cause list shows

As bad as it gets …… and as good as it gets 😀

ADVENT CALENDAR DAY 8

TAKE A BREATH - Don’t be afraid to take a step back; take a moment & reflect. Don’t be afraid to take a break when you need one. 30 mins at 90% efficiency is better than 2 hours at 20%

Also breathing and thinking of strong word to start questions helps avoid “ums and ers”

MY ADVOCACY ADVENT CALENDAR

Day 1 - Eye contact: Advocacy is not an exercise in projecting your voice whilst keeping your eyes firmly buried in your computer or notes.

You should control your notes, not the other way round.

Watching your judge, witness, listener is essential

Not sure what I think about the CA decision in Ali v HSF Logistics Polska SP. Zo.o [2024] EWCA Civ 1479 (credit hire recovered despite damaged car not having valid MOT). They may be right on illegality, but not on causation, surely? Will there be an appeal to the SC?