This is where the magic DOESN’T happen!

Not wishing to blow my own trumpet, but I have many talents and have had a number of great successes.

A few of my favourite success stories have involved proving people wrong – especially when those people have (allegedly) been more knowledgeable and experienced than I am.

For example, I once obtained leave to appeal in a case where even our barrister (a very highly experienced and respected QC) said we would fail.

I also went into battle on behalf of a well known night club on a contract dispute, where my boss had told the client that we would lose, only for him to have to call the client back to admit he’d been wrong when I won hands down, because I’d spotted something that no one else had.

Come to think of it, that same boss told me that I would lose a summary judgment application involving Roman Polanski and a pay or play clause – which I then went on to win!

Not all of my achievements have been confined to purely legal matters.  I’m particularly good at multi tasking.  I once did a talk on GDPR, on a boat, whilst in heels AND drinking a glass of wine and not only did I not fall over, but I also managed to make it interesting and make people laugh.  Simply getting a laugh out of that legislation should be proof enough of my talent!

Nevertheless, I accept that (occasionally) I have my limits.  In particular, I cannot perform miracles.  I actually had to say to a client yesterday that I was a solicitor, not a magician.  All I can do is set out the options available, and whilst I sympathised with him that none of the options were particularly attractive, that didn’t mean I was holding out on him – he just needed to pick his least worst option and make the best of it.

Sometimes, there is nothing that you could have done differently, other than perhaps not have got married in the first place.  I did have a client who ended an email recently with a comment about how they didn’t understand why anyone would, once they had considered their options!

However, sometimes the lesson to be learned is the benefit of getting legal advice earlier in the process.  Some possession proceedings we dealt with recently failed because the client had issued the proceedings himself before we were involved, and he’d used the wrong form.  Something as simple as that has caused a significant delay and significant cost in the form of outstanding rent that he is unlikely to recover.

So whilst I cannot pull rabbits out of hats, or make people disappear (although…….!) I can give you a huge amount of protection, provided I get the chance to give advice at an early stage.

If you’re thinking about getting a divorce, issuing proceedings or signing a contract, I’ll be happy to talk you through your options, whilst simultaneously having a drink and typing an email.

Kleyman & Co Solicitors.  The full service law firm.  I don’t do magic, but my ex swears blind I have a broomstick.