Cameras in court; progressing with the times, or crossing the line?

The whole world can watch Oscar Pistorious’s trial online, streamed live from South Africa. While the world waits with baited breath to hear the verdict (Not guilty in my opinion!) There is another debate going on worldwide about the use of cameras and smartphones in courtrooms.

In the Pistorious trial there has been a lot of confusion about what can and can’t be broadcasted, with the Judge even telling the journalists that they ‘must not tweet’ through some sensitive testimonies and information (which is obviously understandable.) But what exactly are the arguments for and against live broadcasts?

FOR:

11.  Having a camera in the courtroom obviously increases transparency with court cases, with anyone and everyone being able to watch, if mistakes or unfair decisions are made, someone will notice. The legal system has often been criticized for being unclear and complicated, and cameras could help with this.

22.   With almost everyone now using smartphones; from keeping in contact to becoming a photographer, it’s hard to believe that courtrooms still aren’t moving with the times, so to speak. If technology continues to progress in the way that it is doing, this will eventually be inevitable anyway.

33. As we can see with the Oscar Pistorious trial, not everything is broadcast. Witness statements can be cut out and edited, and sound can be used when the cameras are not rolling. There is also a point that if you can walk into a courtroom as a stranger and view the case as a member of the public, then why you can’t watch it at home in the same way.

AGAINST:

11.Camera presence can change people’s behaviour, from the judge to the jury, to the witnesses to the defendant. People change when they’re put in front of a camera. If the speakers are nervous now, they’re going to be a LOT more nervous when they know they could be being watched by potentially thousands of people.

22. What happens in court, stays in court. The courtroom can be an immensely private and emotional place, with divorces, deaths and family matters being discussed, a lot of people want to keep their business private and would be horrified at the thought of having it televised for all to see.

  

  3.Who’s gaining financially from it? Nothing more needs to be said

Social Media in Courtrooms.

Twitter is being used more than any other form of social media over this trial, probably because its so fast to get news out, and the 140 character limitations are great for getting to the point and capturing a glimpse of what’s happening in courts. There is a channel on twitter dedicated to the Oscar Trial, and updates over 40 times an hour when the trial is ongoing! So even if you cant watch the trial, you have someone writing the important quotes down for you!

While journalists around the world tweet live news, updating everyone from inside the courtroom (let’s hope they have Wi-Fi!) Millions are tweeting their own views, and some even go as far to create parody accounts. (see below) though they are absolutely hilarious, you can’t help thinking that someone’s life is on the line.

Cause For Justice.

Today has been day two of one of the worlds most publicised murder trials.

Oscar Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to intentionally killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

The trial is available to watch online and on news channels, much to some people's horror. One woman said 'Its a murder trial, not a soap opera.'
This is a debatable issue, and its the first time a trial has been publicised in the media in South Africa.

If you haven't already heard the story;
Mr Oscar Pistorius, a multi medal winning paralympion, claimed to have been bringing a fan inside his bedroom on Valentines day 2013 at 5am, when he heard a noise coming from the bathroom. He thought Reeva, his girlfriend was asleep in bed, and so concluded that it must be an intruder. He grabbed his gun and went to investigate. After finding there was someone in the toilet, he fired his gun 4 times, shooting Reeva 3 times though the toilet door.

He then claims when he realised it was Reeva, he knocked the bathroom door down with a cricket bat, and carried Reeva's body downstairs while shouting for help.

A tragic accident? Or pre-meditated murder?

That's all for one woman to decide.

I spent this morning working while listening to the trial, and it (as all criminal law does) fascinated me. Although I was shocked to see the way that the Defence lawyer seemed to 'badger' the witness, even as she was getting emotional.

I'm also quite taken aback that this mans life falls into the hands of one woman, the judge. In South Africa there are no juries, and so after the evidence is presented the judge will come to a conclusion. Does he walk free, or does he spend the rest of his life in prison?
One's life in another's hands, seems a little ironic doesn't it considering its a murder trial?

There are many complications with both the defence and the prosecutions stories however. Mr Pistorius claims he didn't have his prosthetic legs on, and 'felt vulnerable in the dark.' However the prosecution have challenged this with a witness who tells how there were lights on and how the couple seemed to have been arguing.

So it mainly comes down to the forensic evidence; Looking at angles the bullets were shot from therefor telling if he had his prosthetic legs on when he fired the gun. The angle at which Miss Steenkamp was sat/stood at in the toilet when she was shot. The Post mortem examination confirms she had just emptied her bladder.

It all seems very confusing. Two very different versions of events but both with one outcome, a tragic loss of this beautiful young woman.



Thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this difficult time,

No-doubt this trial will go on awhile.

Until next time;
Laura xo

"Don't define yourself by your business/your job: Define yourself as a person."

This morning myself and two colleagues went to a Seminar; Vikas Shah - a journey of success, failure & reality.

Vikas seemed really lovely and so down to earth. He told us about his story of being involved in a series of businesses, and the ups and downs of them all. 

I was really inspired by firstly, the fact that he started a business at the age of 14! Managed to continue it through school (Jumping in a taxi straight from school and going to the office!) and also the way Vikas faced every challenge he came up against with confidence. 
He spoke so much truth and didn't sugar coat everything. His humor was also a plus!

He also spoke about how important it is to have a work/play balance, and how getting in the office earliest and staying latest is a competition these days, to show how 'hard' you work. 
When in reality it affects your health and isn't a good balance for your life, family and friends. 
Personally i completely agree with this, and cannot stress enough how unhealthy it is when work takes over your life.  

Its just a job, you can get another one. 

Family and friends are not as replaceable. 
Yes. Enjoy it. Work hard at it, (or as Vikas said 'work smart!') but don't make it the be all and end all of your life.

Vikas came up with all sorts of wise words, and im still trying to decide which one is my new motto! 

1. 'How hard can it be?' 
2."The good thing about being in a peer network; you're surrounded by people just as ambitious, and just as crazy as you!"
3. "Your business is only as good as your best people"
4. "You're human and need people around you. Build a good social network" 
5. "You've got to stay engaged. Don't forget there's a community around you" 

But i think my favorite has to be...

 "Don't define yourself by your business/your job: Define yourself as a person"
 

A thought for the day, whats your view?

Also Berg now has a Google + page, follow us here; +Berg Solicitors 

Until next time;
Laura xo

Legally Blonde

This is literally my twin, pink fluffy pen down to a tee!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaQbC5bgh2s

Passion Pledge.

Ok so i realise that while i've been blogging, ive wrote about Berg and what life is like here, but i haven't actually told you about myself. So I've thought about five things that I'm passionate about and here i'll list and tell you about them.

You never know, we could be more similar than you thought!

1. People - People are great, think of what life would be like without people, we wouldn't be here for sure! Every person that you and i meet has a different story, a different background, different beliefs, family and friends, likes and dislikes; the list is endless! People have the capacity to do amazing and wonderful things, or on the other hand they can do destructive and evil things. I find human psychology an interest too, why do we do things we do? Friends and family are usually the most important thing to most people; showing that human relationships with people are usually the most important thing to people.

2. Faith - My faith is so important to me, I am (and I'm proud to say) a Christian, i was 'saved' (christian terminology; meaning you accepted Jesus and became a christian) in November 2012, and i attend an evangelical church in Bolton twice a week with the name of 'Kings Church.' Its a great environment, where people champion you and encourage you to be all you can be. We don't take things too seriously, and enjoy having a laugh, (just listen to some of the podcasts!) Its a home from home, and the people there are second family. I used to think church was boring and dull, and mainly for old people, but then i went to Kings!

 www.kingschurchlife.com

3. Children - I love children, not only are they the next generation but they also teach us so much. Many people are ignorant and think that we (as adults) are the ones to teach children to behave etc. And yes that is true, children should be taught manners and how to behave, but they can also teach us so much with the way they think about things. Have you ever noticed how a child faced with a problem gives a simple answer? They don't think about finance or any of the other 'important' factors that adults think about before tackling a problem. They see something and they want to change it. The beauty of being a child is the innocence and the naivety towards how the world works, if only everyone could be like that! Children don't think about the negatives in life and simply just want to have fun. I work with children at church every few weeks and they have challenged me to think out of the box so much, and i find myself in awe at how they think and the questions they form.

4. Compassion - Compassion.. You might think compassion is a strange passion to have. But in todays society compassion is being hugely underplayed. With homeless people sitting on sidewalks, the media highlighting any and every tragedy, and more deaths, suicides, homicides every day. Compassion is a much needed tool to communicate with other people. Without compassion and empathy society would be a cruel and sad place. It would wipe out the few people who still feel a pang of guilt every time they see a homeless person on the street. It literally costs a few pounds to buy someone a coffee, but its a gesture that will make their day.

5. Hard Work! - Hard work is often underplayed now, with school grades dropping and students being too bored to complete work or even concentrate in class, (i know, i was one of them.) People are hoping to go to school, college and uni, and then get out and get a good job that pays amazingly. But just a thought, if you reach 21/25 and you have never worked in your life (i mean a real job, not homework) then employers are going to wonder why. Hard work has always been a passion of mine, and i've been working since i was 13 years old to earn my own money and get along in life. Work teaches you so much and gives you a sense of fulfillment that your working to earn your own money. I worked through all my exams in school and college and it never did me any harm, in fact it probably made me study more due to the pressure of not having the hours to study that everyone else did! You have to learn to get along with people, and listen to instructions and do as your told. Otherwise it wont just be a detention you receive, the consequences are much more serious.

So there we have it, a little about me.
Until next time;
Laura xo

Pros and Cons of Using Social Media In Business.

So many businesses have social media networks, but how many of them actually work?
I've compiled my list of what I think the pros and cons of social media are, and what I think actually works when using social media in a business.
Feel free to comment if you agree/disagree or think some things should be added!

The Good; 

1. Social media is a way to interact with your clients/customers on a one to one basis, its quick and effective. You can also get clients/customers to join pages and recommend you to friends and family (depending on what network you're using) which in the long run can benefit your company massively!

2. Social media gives you the chance to show your companies personality to your customers, and tell them all about your amazing products and services.This in turn brings customer loyalty to your brand/company, meaning customers will feel your brand has personality, interacts with them and cares, and so will come back to you.

3. You can learn more about your target audience, by interacting with customers and asking for opinions and feedback. With social media also comes analytics, which you can use to see who is logging onto your pages, what age/sex they are and where they're from. Analytic can be as detailed or as simple as you like, and tell you so much about your audience, they really are an incredible value to your brand.

4. Social media helps you to reach a much wider audience than you would using using just a website or email. People from all over the world can view your brand's page over Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus etc. Giving you one foot over the competition. However this only works if what you post is compelling. Don't advertise 24/7, interact with clients and customers, post general comments, ask questions. Make your page something that you would want to read.

The Cons;

1. Social media can also be the downfall of your brand, customers and clients can leave bad feedback, so all potential customers can see it. Which in turn will put them off using your brand. However if you're a great brand who have fabulous customer service, you have nothing to worry about. This backfired when Mcdonald's used the #Mcdstories hashtag, and everyone started to post about their bad experiences at Mcdonalds. #Whoops.

2. Whatever you do, do not try and use national disasters to promote your brand, this has been done a few times and it DOES NOT work. Just please, dont do it. As you can see below it doesnt work and will make your brand well known for being 'the hated brand who have no feelings.' Also if something like this does happen, do not send the same reply to all your customers who complain, this will just annoy them more.

3. Drunk tweets. This is an extreamly easy one to do, if your trying to tweet to a personal account and accidently log on to a company account.. You can guess what happens. Even if you realise and delete the tweet/post, chances are someone has seen it. If you're going to drink, id suggest not using social media, or trusting your friends to make sure you tweet from the right account.
This happened to JCPenny at the superbowl, and it went viral within hours.

Luckily, they had a super creative team to come up with an awesome save in under an hour! #phew

 Thanks for reading, hope this gives you some ideas about what to do and what not to do when using social media in a business, it can make or break your brand!
#GoodLuck!

Until next time,
Laura xo

A day in life at Berg.

Since this blog is called 'life in a law firm' i probably should be writing about what life actually is like in a law firm... So here goes!

When i first started, i got my own little desk (now covered in pink fluffy things,) and i was introduced to everyone in the firm. The next day, when the work started. It was (i think!) deadline day for some of the solicitors in the firm. They were on the floor filing paperwork, organising files, printing, photocopying, scanning- It was utter madness!

It calmed down a little after that.

I'm saddened to tell you that lawyers are not your stereotypical hard-faced, always-serious business men and women. They are actually pretty normal (most of them anyway!) They have a laugh, and work extremely hard, and so far; i haven't seen any fangs.

A typical day in the life; I usually get here for 8.45am, then make some porridge and a brew and read the news stories for the day. I check my emails then organise tweets, using news articles, and relevant information about the day/week to schedule some tweets in for the whole day. After that I'll check LinkedIn, Google plus, and the website. I usually have some work to do, blogging, tweeting, researching etc. Then i pick up any more work I'm given, putting news on the website, making graphs of followings on social media, LinkedIn profiles, that sort of thing. By then its usually dinner time and after making 25 brews all morning I'm usually starving! After dinner i usually get back to what i was doing previously, or find that more work has been emailed to me to complete. Shortly after that its home time and I'm in for a fun 40 minute journey of pushing and shoving on an overheated train. (Thats the worst bit, dont be disheartened!)

Once a week I go to the Juice Academy, where i get to learn about everything social media, its a nice break from the working week and its fun to meet my friends there and learn more about what I'm doing and how i can benefit the company.

Overall i love working here at Berg. The people are amazing and so so funny! And though i've only been here (almost) 3 weeks, i've been welcomed in amazingly. It's like a little family here.

Until next time;

Laura xo