I speak to solicitors who practice in Newcastle, Wollongong and Melbourne and they tell me they can call their opponents and discuss their respective matters. All communication between lawyers, doesn't always have to be reduced to formal letter or emails. I hear from family lawyers in Sydney, that the usual  practice when it comes to communication, between family lawyers in Sydney is via email ('email wars') formal letters (50 paces with 50 letters in hand'), otherwise, there is the possibility that your opponent may 'verbal' you, which creates mistrust between practitioners.  If this happens, your opponent may put your informal conversations on  affidavit and/or misrepresent your conversation in future formal correspondence.  Its even been said that some barristers recommend 'verbaling' as a tactic. What is your practice? How's 'verbaling' working for you and your clients? Getting better outcomes as a result? Do you have a happier, less stressful work life by 'verbaling'? Do you … [Read more...]