9 St. John Street Chambers, Manchester

On 29 November 2024, members of the House of Commons will vote on whether to progress, to the next stage in the legislative process, The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (a private member's bill, colloquially referred to as the assisted dying bill).   Greg Lawton, barrister and pharmacist, analyses two of the key considerations raised by the bill – for pharmacy, and the wider process by which the drugs would reach the doctor providing them.   https://lnkd.in/eS_PN8hF

# 🤔 The Hidden Biases Costing Your Clients Money: A Litigator's Guide Have you ever wondered why seemingly straightforward negotiations often reach an impasse? The answer might lie in our own minds. As litigators, we pride ourselves on rational decision-making. Yet cognitive biases shape every negotiation we undertake. Here's what you need to know 👇 #1. The Anchoring Trap That first outrageous settlement demand? It's not random. When a claimant opens with an unreasonably high figure, this 'anchor' subtly influences the entire negotiation - even when we know it's inflated. #2. Overconfidence: The Silent Deal-Killer We're all guilty of this one. We overestimate: • Witness reliability • Documentary evidence strength • Trial success probability If you think you're immune, that's overconfidence talking. # 3. The Optimism Trap 🎯 Ever told a client "this should be done in 6 months"? Optimism bias makes us consistently underestimate: • Timeframes • Costs • Obstacles • Client fatigue Tip: Whatever timeline you're thinking, double it. #4. Confirmation Bias: Your Worst Enemy This is the big one. We love evidence that supports our position and dismiss what doesn't. Watch out for: • Cherry-picking favourable precedents • Dismissing "confused" witnesses (who might just be telling inconvenient truths) • Selective document reading • Pushing back against contrary advice #5. Loss Aversion: Why Good Deals Die Here's a truth bomb: People hate losing £100 more than they love winning £100. This explains why: • Defendants resist reasonable settlements • Claimants reject solid offers • Both sides end up worse off ## Breaking Free: Practical Solutions 🔑 1. Challenge assumptions religiously 2. Get external views early - this is where barristers can help 3. Focus on BATNA 4. Document your reasoning 5. Keep a "devil's advocate" file 6. Regular reality checks ## Your Role as a Professional Adviser Remember: Your job isn't to be popular. It's to: • Challenge unrealistic expectations • Document risks clearly • Provide regular reality checks • Stay objective under pressure --- Agree? Disagree? What cognitive biases have you encountered in your practice? #LegalStrategy #Litigation #Negotiation #LawFirm #LegalProfessional #DisputeResolution #CognitiveBias #ProfessionalServices

9 St. John Street Chambers, Manchester enjoyed hosting prospective barristers Tenishia, Nidaa, Dorcas and Tenisha on 26/10/24 & 10/11/24 as part of Bridging The Bar. We worked on life at the Bar, areas of specialism, mock pupillage interviews, CV workshops, and advocacy exercises. We wish them well on their journey towards the Bar. Thanks to Beth Caunce, Harrison Edmonds, Isabel Baylis and Matthew Snarr who contributed to the sessions. https://lnkd.in/e2ebemkx

Register now for our 9 St. John Street Chambers, Manchester Open House event.   Spaces are limited so be sure to not miss out!

Court of Appeal finds for Claimants in Landmark Motor Finance / Secret Commission Judgment. Greg Lawton of 9SJS Business and Property team comments. https://lnkd.in/emxUver4

Join us for our next event sponsored and hosted by 9 St. John Street Chambers, Manchester. A Q & A with Her Honour Judge Brandon on her route to the Judiciary. An event not to be missed. RSVP to manchesterwicl@gmail.com

Court of Appeal finds for Claimants in Landmark Motor Finance / Secret Commission Judgment. Greg Lawton of 9SJS Business and Property team comments. https://lnkd.in/emxUver4

We would like to commend Emily Landale for being recognised as a rising star in the Legal 500 2025 for her obvious talent within our already strong Family Law Team. https://lnkd.in/eRih7D34

9 St John Street Chambers are delighted to announce we have received further recognition in the Chambers UK Bar Guide 2025.   Our Employment, Personal Injury, Crime, Family, Real Estate Litigation, and Chancery teams have been acknowledged as leading sets within the Northern Circuit.   https://lnkd.in/ebtQ4cXy

Following the release of the 2025 edition of Chambers UK Bar, with an outstanding amount of 29 individual rankings, our barristers continue to be recognised as leaders in their field across a wide range of practice areas including: Employment, Personal Injury, Crime, Family, Real Estate Litigation, Chancery, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Partnership, Tax, Sport, Ecclesiastical Law, Personal Injury: Animal Claims, and Mediations.   Congratulations to everyone who has appeared in this year’s directory and thank you to everyone who took the time to provide their feedback, it is deeply appreciated.   https://lnkd.in/e8NQ7x3D