Don’t imitate approach of Gerrie Nel, urge three silks on Twitter.
Gerrie Nel may have impressed the world’s media with his “pitbull” style, but the Inns of Court aren’t keen on how he operates. Last night 9-12 Bell Yard chief Mukul Chawla QC warned wannabe lawyers that Nel’s approach wouldn’t translate well to the courtrooms of England and Wales.
To all you aspiring advocates: Do not try to xx like Mr Nel in the Pistorius case. You won’t last 2 mins b4 you lose the trust of the court.
— Mukul Chawla QC (@MChawlaQC) April 14, 2014
This morning 11KBW silk Sean Jones QC went even further, claiming that he has seen litigants-in-person “do a better job” than Nel.
@debbiematthews1 @MChawlaQC he's produced one of the worst cross-examinations I've ever seen. I've seen LiPs do a better job.
— Sean Jones (@seanjones11kbw) April 15, 2014
Meanwhile, Cloisters Chambers’ Caspar Glyn QC has expressed surprise at the passivity of Judge Thokozile Masipa in the face of Nel’s aggression.
@MChawlaQC @ACWilloughby @seanjones11kbw @carlgardner Why is Nels being allowed to do this?Even Mr Scannell at London East would stop this.
— Caspar Glyn QC (@casparglyn) April 14, 2014
The full conversation thread about Nel’s style is here.