The Honest Solicitor

Few lawyers are held in high regard, at least regarding honesty and integrity. This is unfair, for most conduct themselves with honour and dedication, if not efficiency. It is only fitting that they, who make a living from the law, should themselves obey and uphold it no matter how disagreeable the client. Having sat as a Justice of the Peace for fourteen years, I occasionally did wonder at some of the base characters appointed to make representations before the Bench. It occurred to me once or twice, that the advocate should be in the dock while the defendant might have done a better job than his solicitor in addressing the court.

Down in London’s Church of St Dunstan’s-in-the-West, a memorial is fastened to the wall, upon which is written:

‘Hobson Judkin, late of Clifford’s Inn, THE HONEST SOLICITOR who departed this life June 30th 1812’.

Regardless of we think of contemporary solicitors, the folk of 1812 evidently thought an honest one a rare jewel indeed. The tablet was even paid for by his clients. It concludes with the admonition:

‘Go Reader, and imitate Hobson Judkin.’

If Judkin was a rare jewel, honesty is a rarer virtue. Of course, there are those blabbermouths who tell the truth full throttle, heedless of a hearer’s feelings or sensibilities. Whereas speaking truthfully while tempering the message with kindness and grace, is a nutritious and healthful draught for speaker and hearer alike. Do not lie, do not flatter, do not bear false witness. Neither break a confidence, deliberately expose a weakness nor tactlessly attack another’s reputation.

There is that speaketh words like the prickings of a sword: but the tongue of wise men is health. Proverbs 12:18, Geneva Bible