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edlo9itor September 5, 2020 rugby No Comments
Cricket India's Executive Board Chairman, Sourav Ganguly, said that the decision of the country's top cricket tournament (IPL Twenty20) to suspend the lucrative contract with main sponsor Vivo (China) was just … not a big deal.
IPL last week suspended a deal with Vivo, the Chinese company that signed a five-year contract in 2017 which is worth more than $ 330 million to sponsor the world's richest cricket tournament. "I wouldn't call it a financial crisis. It's just a bit of uncertainty. BCCI has a very solid foundation," said Ganguly, head of Cricket in India (BCCI). – matches, athletes, administrators in the past made this tournament very strong so BCCI can handle all such incidents.
Mr. Ganguly added at an online meeting last weekend quoted by Press Trust of India: "You leave your options open. It's like Plan A and Plan B. "Previously, Vivo said its decision to cancel the sponsorship deal had been agreed by both parties.
According to AFP, the wave of calls to boycott Chinese companies and products in India has increased after the clash on the two countries' borders on June 15. This clash left 20 Indian soldiers dead. The Indian government has banned dozens of Chinese smartphone apps – including popular video-sharing platform TikTok – and has also taken other measures to restrict trade with China.
IPL and BCCI have partnerships with companies including Paytm, Swiggy, Dream11, and Byju, all of which are Chinese-owned. According to reports, BCCI has been in negotiation with Indian companies on sponsorship deals but is expected to make less than $60 million they receive from Vivo.
Lyn Jones: " The cancellation of Rugby match with Georgia was the right decision».	The head coach of the Russian national Rugby team, Welshman Lyn Jones, in an interview with RIA Novosti correspondent Elena Dyachkova, shared his
Rugby represents successful sports style in fashion (part 04)	In the 1950s within the US, rugby appeared to be gaining popularity on the campuses of Ivy League schools (including top American universities) – again, a testament to social station.


Zach Randolph spent eight seasons with the Grizzlies. He helped to establish their Grit & Grind identity and was a key reason that they made the playoffs for the last seven consecutive seasons.
Randolph's moving on to the Kings, but his bond with the Grizz is still strong. In an open letter to fans, Grizzlies' GM Chris Wallace let Z-Bo know how much he means to Memphis.
The eight years Zach spent in the mud, in Memphis, are special. They are filled with franchise-defining basketball success, but they are so clearly about more than that. Every Memphian felt it and all of us believe it.
Zach helped establish what it means to play for the Grizzlies on the court and in the community, and in doing so helped forge an identity for our City.
His numerous on the court accomplishments speak for themselves. He is our all-time leader in field goals, rebounds and of course, takedowns.
He is a proud civic leader and an extraordinary hands-on community benefactor. It is no coincidence that our collective dedication to service in our communities and our pride in Memphis surged during his time here.
Grit & Grind is more than a motto to us, it has become a civic code of conduct and cultural ethos. It's the way we do things in Memphis and at the Grizzlies. The best way for the team, the organization and for the City of Memphis to honor and respect the foundation built on Zach's broad shoulders is to continue to Grit & Grind.


The original of this list measures 17 1/2" long by 22" wide and is folded in half to make two pages. It is printed on one side only and is clearly designed to be unfolded and posted as a public notice.
The plain side has, written on it 'Mr J Worrald, Shaw Street'.
This is a fascinating social history document as it is clearly designed to publicly shame non payers into doing so, hence publishes what has been paid and what has not been paid. This and the amounts can give valuable insight into such things as social status.
Arnold Miss 10 0 10 0 do.
Bagge Rev. James 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Baird E J 2 0 0 2 0 0 do.
Brown John 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 do.
Brunker J E 6 5 0 6 5 0 6 5 0 6 5 0 do.
Bryant Mrs 10 0 10 0 do.
Butler X H C 2 0 0 2 0 0 do.
Catchpoole Mrs 7 6 7 6 do.
Clarke Charles 3 0 3 0 do.
Creagh G W Brazier 3 0 0 do.
Dalton Isaac 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Dart Anne 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Davis Lt Col A 1 1 0 1 1 0 do.
Davis Mrs Richd 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Davis Robt 5 0 5 0 do.
Donovan G R 10 0 10 0 do.
Drury Henry 20 0 0 20 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 do.
Drury William 2 0 0 2 0 0 do.
Evans John 10 0 10 0 do.
Faught Mrs 10 0 do.
Finn R 2 0 0 2 0 0 do.
Fitzgerald Edward 2 2 0 2 2 0 do.
Goulden Peter 10 0 10 0 do.
Green Chas 100 0 0 100 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 do.
Green John 100 0 0 100 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 do.
Green Capt T H 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Green Miss 20 0 0 20 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Green The Misses (Mall) 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Green Miss Alice 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 do.
Green Miss F S 5 0 5 0 do.
Green Mrs Sam 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Green Murdock 10 0 0 10 0 0 do.
Gyles Richd 3 0 0 3 0 0 do.
Hanan James 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Hall Miss 5 0 5 0 do.
Harrison Joseph 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Hill Miss F 5 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Hyde Miss 20 0 0 20 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 do.
Jones Saml 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Judge John 5 0 5 0 do.
Kenah Thos 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Kenah The Misses 5 0 5 0 do.
Leahy Mrs 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Lindsey Thomas 5 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Lindsey John 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 do.
Long Wm. (Main St.) 10 0 do.
Long William (Friar St.) 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Long Wm. (Wm. Street) 5 0 do.
Miller Arthur 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Munroe C R 5 0 0 5 0 0 do.
Pim J W Junr 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Phillips Charles 5 0 5 0 do.
Pontclue The Misses 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Price Miss F 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Sargent Francis 2 2 0 2 2 0 do.
Shakleton Mrs 5 0 5 0 do.
Taylor Miss 10 0 10 0 do.
Thomas Edwd 2 0 0 2 0 0 do.
Travers Mrs 10 0 10 0 do.
Tivy R B 5 0 5 0 do.
Tuthill Jos 5 0 5 0 do.
Verlin Mrs 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 do.
Wagner John 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Weldon Mrs (Wm. St.) 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Welsh C H 1 0 0 1 0 0 do.
Worrald J 5 0 2 6 do.
N.B. In accordance with a resolution passed by the diocesan Synod, the Select Vestry recommend, that the minimum Subscription to entitle persons to be registered as Vestrymen in this Parish, shall be 4s 4d per Annum.


In Luxembourg, a certified translation (also called a sworn translation or official translation) is a translation done by a translator who was appointed by the Ministry of Justice, has sworn an oath before the Superior Court of Justice of Luxembourg and is registered on the official list of sworn translators and interpreters held by the Ministry. A certified translation bears the signature (and usually the seal) of the translator who thus certifies that the translation is accurate. Certified translations are recognized as official documents by government authorities and courts in Luxembourg.
Are certified translations accepted outside of Luxembourg?
Most of the time, yes, but since there are no general rules for the recognition of certified translations abroad, I recommend obtaining confirmation from the foreign authority that requests the translation. Sometimes, an apostille (legalisation of the translator's signature) is required for certified translations to be used abroad. The apostille can be obtained at the legalisations office of the Luxembourgish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


Interlaken Blvd is a charming, quiet, somewhat technical road in the heart of Seattle. Take it slow, especially the first time, as there are some surprise hairpins. Then, take a leisurely ride through the Arboretum at the beginning of Lake Washington Boulevard. This snakes and winds all the way over to the shore of Lake Washington, and down to the beautiful and verdant Seward Park.
Beginning with a technical hill climb, then evening out with a gently curving cruise through a park and around a lakeside, is a terrific way to spend an afternoon.
The road quality varies greatly throughout. Interlaken Blvd has some pretty rough pavement, as do certain small sections of the Lake Washington drive. Mostly, however, it's smooth sailing.
Particularly near Leschi park there are numerous restaurants to stop at.


Home>Central Banks>Central Bank Gold Demand Spikes to Highest Level in Nearly 50 Years!
The biggest gains are often realized at the start of new bull market cycles and several of our mining stock positions have generated double-digit gains so far in 2019. Get our research into undervalued mid-tier and junior mining stocks by subscribing here.
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Platsch heißen folgende geographische Objekte:

 Plač, Ortschaft der Gemeinde Kungota, Podravska (Štajerska), Slowenien
 Plački vrh, auch Platschberg, Berg (509 m) und Pass (um 440 m) an der slowenisch-österreichischen Grenze bei Spielfeld
 Plaveč (Tschechien), Gemeinde im Bezirk Znaim, Tschechien
 Ansitz Platsch in Milland bei Brixen, Südtirol, Italien

Platsch ist der Familienname folgender Personen:
 Daniela Platsch (* 1981), deutsch-österreichische Politikerin

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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This Cheap Dining Room Chairs Set Of 4 Home Furniture Design the gallery form Four Dining Room Chairs. Hopefully you can find the best inspiration from our gallery here.


Virginia Governor Ralph Northam called to resign over racist photo on his med school yearbook page. Donald Trump's 'Executive Time' consists of watching TV. Change Research's polling shows Howard Schultz's effect on voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Rapper 21 Savage arrested early Sunday by ICE, claiming he's in the US illegally by overstaying his visa, which expired in 2006. CPI's Federal Politics Reporter Ashley Balcerzak on what you need to know about presidential candidate Cory Booker. Ben Shapiro says that the only reason one should debate people on the left is to humiliate them.


Friends, this listing is for a unique Vintage Chinese Silver Filigree Gilt Enamel Cloisonne MINIATURE URN w/ Removable Top that's stamped SILVER on the bottom. I believe this was created pre-WWII and may have been created for the export market, but I'm not exactly sure how old it is. Beautiful miniature 2-handled container featuring 3 different colors of enamel front and back; Royal Blue, Light Blue and Purple. The purple tags at the bottom of the handles each have a Chinese Character.
This Urn is in GOOD condition with NORMAL signs of wear on the Gilt and a GOOD patina for its age. The enamel is in EXCELLENT condition. It measures 1 and 1/2 inches tall, 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick at its thickest point. Plus, it weighs 20.6 grams.
The item "VINTAGE Chinese Silver Filigree Gilt Enamel Cloisonne MINIATURE URN" is in sale since Sunday, November 18, 2018. This item is in the category "Antiques\Asian Antiques\China\Boxes". The seller is "classykassy" and is located in Elgin, Illinois.


We are excited to offer this 2019 BMW X3. This BMW includes: NAVIGATION SYSTEM Smart Device Integration Navigation System Hard Disk Drive Media Storage MP3 Player HEATED FRONT SEATS Heated Front Seat(s) DRIVING ASSISTANCE PACKAGE Lane Departure Warning Blind Spot Monitor Cross-Traffic Alert WHEELS: 19 Tires - Front Performance Aluminum Wheels Tires - Rear Performance PANORAMIC MOONROOF Generic Sun/Moonroof Sun/Moonroof Dual Moonroof DARK GRAPHITE METALLIC *Note - For third party subscriptions or services, please contact the dealer for more information.* Want more room? Want more style? This BMW X3 is the vehicle for you. Pull up in the vehicle and the valet will want to parked on the front row. This BMW X3 is the vehicle others dream to own. Don't miss your chance to make it your new ride. Enjoy the drive without worrying about directions thanks to the built-in navigation system. We look forward to seeing you soon! Please call us for more information.


The WAPA Strahler Hochfrequenzgerät (High Frequency Generator) is a violet ray-type device that was marketed as an instrument for electro-therapy. It was sold by the German company WAPA Strahler.
This page was last edited on 16 January 2019, at 13:29.


text:
Q: Reconstructing two (string concatenated) numbers that were originally floats Unfortunately the printing instruction of a code was written without an end-of-the-line character and one every 26 numbers consists of two numbers joined together. The following is a code that shows an example of such behaviour; at the end there is a fragment of the original database.
import numpy as np

for _ in range(2):
  A=np.random.rand()+np.random.randint(0,100)
  B=np.random.rand()+np.random.randint(0,100)
  C=np.random.rand()+np.random.randint(0,100)
  D=np.random.rand()+np.random.randint(0,100)
  with open('file.txt','a') as f:
    f.write(f'{A},{B},{C},{D}')

And thus the output example file looks very similar to what follows:
40.63358599010553,53.86722741700399,21.800795158561158,13.95828176311762557.217562728494684,2.626308403991772,4.840593988487278,32.401778122213486

With the issue being that there are two numbers 'printed together', in the example they were as follows:
13.95828176311762557.217562728494684

So you cannot know if they should be
13.958281763117625, 57.217562728494684

or
13.9582817631176255, 7.217562728494684

Please understand that in this case they are only two options, but the problem that I want to address considers 'unbounded numbers' which are type Python's "float" (where 'unbounded' means in a range we don't know e.g. in the range +- 1E4)
Can the original numbers be reconstructed based on "some" python internal behavior I'm missing?
Actual data with periodicity 27 (i.e. the 26th number consists of 2 joined together):
0.9221878978925224, 0.9331311610066017,0.8600582424784715,0.8754578588852764,0.8738648974725404, 0.8897837559800233,0.6773502027673041,0.736325377603136,0.7956454122424133, 0.8083168444596229,0.7089031184165164, 0.7475306242508357,0.9702361286847581, 0.9900689384633811,0.7453878225174624, 0.7749000030576826,0.7743879170108678, 0.8032590543649807,0.002434,0.003673,0.004194,0.327903,11.357262,13.782266,20.14374,31.828905,33.9260060.9215201173775437, 0.9349343132442707,0.8605282244327555,0.8741626682026793,0.8742163597524663, 0.8874673376386358,0.7109322043854609,0.7376362393985332,0.796158275345

A: To expand my comment into an actual answer:
We do have some information - An IEEE-754 standard float only has 32 bits of precision, some of which is taken up by the mantissa (not all numbers can be represented by a float). For datasets like yours, they're brushing up against the edge of that precision.
We can make that work for us - we just need to test whether the number can, in fact, be represented by a float, at each possible split point. We can abuse strings for this, by testing num_str == str(float(num_str)) (i.e. a string remains the same after being converted to a float and back to a string)

*

*If your number is able to be represented exactly by the IEEE float standard, then the before and after will be equal

*If the number cannot be represented exactly by the IEEE float standard, it will be coerced into the nearest number that the float can represent. Obviously, if we then convert this back to a string,  will not be identical to the original.

Here's a snippet, for example, that you can play around with
def parse_number(s: str) -> List[float]:
    if s.count('.') == 2:
        first_decimal = s.index('.')
        second_decimal = s[first_decimal + 1:].index('.') + first_decimal + 1
        split_idx = second_decimal - 1
        for i in range(second_decimal - 1, first_decimal + 1, -1):
            a, b = s[:split_idx], s[split_idx:]
            if str(float(a)) == a and str(float(b)) == b:
                return [float(a), float(b)]
        # default to returning as large an a as possible
        return [float(s[:second_decimal - 1]), float(s[second_decimal - 1:])]
    else:
        return [float(s)]

parse_number('33.9260060.9215201173775437')
# [33.926006, 0.9215201173775437]
# this is the only possible combination that actually works for this particular input

Obviously this isn't foolproof, and for some numbers there may not be enough information to differentiate the first number from the second. Additionally, for this to work, the tool that generated your data needs to have worked with IEEE standards-compliant floats (which does appear to be the case in this example,  but may not be if the results were generated using a class like Decimal (python) or BigDecimal (java) or something else).
Some inputs might also have multiple possibilities. In the above snippet I've biased it to take the longest possible [first number], but you could modify it to go in the opposite order and instead take the shortest possible [first number].

A: Yes, you have one available weapon: you're using the default precision to display the numbers.  In the example you cite, there are 15 digits after the decimal point, making it easy to reconstruct the original numbers.
Let's take a simple case, where you have only 3 digits after the decimal point.  It's trivial to separate
13.95857.217

The formatting requires a maximum of 2 digits before the decimal point, and three after.
Any case that has five digits between the points, is trivial to split.
13.958 57.217

However, you run into the "trailing zero" problem in some cases.  If you see, instead
13.9557.217

This could be either
13.950 57.217

or
13.955 07.217

Your data do not contain enough information to differentiate the two cases.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report on dioxin levels in the Irish environment shows that all of the samples had dioxin levels well below the relevant EU limits. The report also shows that dioxin levels measured in this survey compare favourably with those taken from similar surveys in EU and other countries. The report is based on dioxin levels measured in cows' milk in a 2008 survey.
The survey was carried out in June and early July 2008, during the peak outdoor grazing season, by taking a series of milk samples mainly from representative regional dairies. Additional samples were also taken from localities that might be seen as areas of potential risk of raised dioxin levels.
The reported ranges for dioxins in milk fat (37 samples) were 0.190 to 0.673 pg WHO-TEQ/g with a mean of 0.269 pg WHO-TEQ/g. When PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) were included, the ranges were 0.304 to 0.835 pg WHO-TEQ with a mean of 0.440 pg WHO-TEQ/g. These levels are well below the EU limit in milk and milk products of 3.0 pg WHO-TEQ/g for dioxins only, and 6.0 pg WHO-TEQ/g for dioxins and PCBs combined.
In view of the increased international awareness of the presence in the environment of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and brominated dioxins (PBDD/PBDF), a broad range of these substances was also tested in the survey. However, only Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) were detected. The range for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (5 samples) was 57 to 144 ng/kg fat with a mean of 93 ng/kg fat, in line with the levels found in the two previous surveys in 2006 and 2007. These levels are relatively low by international comparisons.


text:
Do Courtroom Lawyers Make a Difference?
A pair of judges debate the importance of attorneys.
By Joel Cohen, Richard A. Posner, and Jed S. Rakoff
July 31, 20171:41 PM
Jupiterimages/Thinkstock
Slate is running a series of monthly dialogues between two of the nation's most esteemed jurists, Richard A. Posner and Jed S. Rakoff. These conversations will be moderated by Joel Cohen, author of the book Blindfolds Off: Judges on How They Decide. Their last conversation was about age limits for federal judges. This month's conversation is about how much lawyers matter in the courtroom.
Joel Cohen: Many lawyers believe that the result in a case may—or even will—heavily depend on who the judge is. But that's an issue for another day. What about the lawyers? As a young prosecutor, I sat in the chief prosecutor's office late one evening discussing a case. Another prosecutor, who wasn't particularly well regarded and had absolutely zero prior trial experience, poked his head in to proudly announce that he had just won his first mafia prosecution, defeating three of New York's best criminal defense lawyers. After he headed out to a bar to celebrate, I laughingly asked my boss what he thought of that unbelievable outcome. With a twinkle in his eye, he tersely said, "Reaffirms my faith in the jury system. Doesn't matter who the lawyers are. The correct result will out."
Really? Judge Rakoff, your experience is largely (but not exclusively) at the trial level. And Judge Posner, you sit typically on appeals. From your vast experience, doesn't the result in a courtroom case, in significant part, depend on the lawyers and their skills?
Jed Rakoff: In a close case, the skill of the lawyer can make the difference, but most cases are not that close. It is the same with most professionals: In difficult cases, the skill of the doctor can make the difference between life and death, but most cases are sufficiently routine that most doctors can treat them properly. A related but much bigger problem in our society is that most people can't afford lawyers at all. Nationwide, the average law firm partner now charges well over $500 per hour. I can't afford that—can you?
When an individual confronts a legal problem and can't afford to consult a lawyer, even routine matters can prove disastrous for the unlawyered person. Any housing court judge, for example, will tell you that any tenant or homeowner who is represented by counsel can usually find some legal technicality to avoid eviction or foreclosure, or at least can negotiate a substantial delay. But except in those cases where the judge herself feels sufficiently sympathetic to the defendant to intervene on his behalf, the unrepresented defendant is going to lose his tenancy or his home. Worse yet, the percentage of such unfortunates who are unrepresented by counsel has skyrocketed in recent decades. Thus, according to statistics compiled by the National Center for State Courts, until 1970 the great majority of individual persons involved in lawsuits were represented by counsel. But now, depending on the state, as many as two-thirds are unrepresented by counsel, and in housing and family cases—which are the most common legal disputes for most Americans—the percentage of unrepresented individuals in some states is as high as 90 percent.
I wonder whether Judge Posner, who has such expertise in economics, has a view as to why lawyers have become so expensive? Of course, there are obvious barriers to entry (notably, the price of law school) and other impediments to free competition, but I wonder whether other factors are operating as well. For example, in recent years, many law school graduates could not find law firm jobs upon graduation. Yet few seem to have hung out their shingles and offered needed legal services at cut rates. I don't know why this is. What I do know is that someone who has a serious legal issue but no lawyer to represent him is someone who is unlikely to obtain justice.
Cohen: Judge Rakoff seems (to me) too willing to find that it really doesn't matter who the lawyer is, except in the closest of cases. How is that possible?
Richard Posner: My experience at the trial level is limited; I did do some trial work in the 1970s when I was the law professor, and of course since becoming a judge (appellate) in 1981 I've read a lot of trial records and heard lawyers argue about what went on at the trial. But more important, I have conducted trials as a volunteer in the district courts of my circuit since my appointment, mainly civil trials but recently two criminal trials. The criminal trials, and virtually all of my civil trials, were jury trials.
My impression is that the respective quality of the lawyers (I believe that in only one case was one of the parties pro se) is a very important factor in the jury's verdict. Very often the lawyers are totally mismatched in quality—by quality, I mean ability to sway a jury. The quality difference need not be intellectual; often it is personality. Some lawyers are simply very good at coming across to a jury as nice—wouldn't lie, wouldn't exaggerate—and when such an attorney is up against a mean or pompous lawyer, the nice guy has a big advantage. Sometimes, however, the nice lawyer is so weak that his mean opponent overpowers him.
I wouldn't generalize these observations to New York, which has a very different culture from Chicago (where I've conducted most of my trials) or Gary, Indiana, where I conducted a number of trials, though none recently.
Finally, I do think the judge has a big role in a jury trial. I for example do not use pattern jury instructions—I make up my own—and I allow the jurors to ask questions. In a civil case, I allow jurors to ask questions out loud, so I and the lawyers hear them and we can answer them if we think they're worth answering. In a criminal trial, I require a juror who has a question to write it down and give it to a clerk who hands it to me. I might read it aloud if I think it would be a question that the lawyers could answer or I could answer it myself either out loud or in a note to the jury.
That's about it as far as my firsthand experience with juries is concerned.
Cohen: While Judge Posner sits in different trial venues than you do, your general views on the impact of the trial lawyer on case results widely differs from his. (For what it's worth, probably not much, I happen to agree with Judge Posner). Yes, your number of trials is far greater, but still. Perhaps you're concerned about acknowledging what it might really mean about our justice system if trials reach different results depending on who the lawyer is (or whom the client can afford).
Rakoff: I interpreted your original question, Joel, to apply to all court cases, and I stand by my position that, at least in my experience, the skill of the lawyers only makes an outcome-determinative difference in close cases. Please remember that well over 95 percent of all cases, civil and criminal, never get to trial. As far as the court is concerned, most cases chiefly involve motion practice, where the judge will be doing his own legal research and analysis that may go well beyond what the lawyers present and will, in any case, not be much affected by who is the better lawyer. But even if we limit your question to jury trials, I don't think the difference in lawyering makes much difference in most cases.
I used to think differently during the 25 years I was a trial lawyer: If I won a jury trial, it was because of my brilliant lawyering, and if I lost the trial, it was because my opponent was dishonest, the judge was unfair, or the jury was biased against my client. But in the 21 years since I became a judge, I have made it my practice to talk privately with the jurors in the jury room at the end of the case after they have reached their verdict, and I or my law clerks have now done so in all of the more than 150 jury trials I have conducted. What has impressed me, based on these interviews, is how seriously the jurors take their job of finding the facts and applying them to my instructions of law. Many, many times, they will say to me, in essence, "We really liked Jane (the losing lawyer) much better than John (the winning lawyer), but John had the facts on his side." Put differently, I have almost never disagreed with a jury's verdict, and if I don't think my view of the right result was materially affected by the skill of the lawyers, what reason do I have to believe that the jury's view was?
I do, however, very much agree with Judge Posner that the presiding judge has a huge role to play in a jury trial not only in instructing the jury on the law—like Judge Posner, I write my own jury instructions carefully tailored to the individual case—but also in keeping the lawyers in line and focused on the relevant issues. Where a judge abdicates this role, overaggressive lawyers can take unfair advantage of their adversaries, and I have occasionally seen this happen in some state courts, although almost never in federal court.
None of this is intended to denigrate the skills of lawyers. Perhaps a lawyer's greatest use of her skills comes in advising a client when to bring a case and when to settle it. But in so doing, the lawyer almost never bases her calculations and recommendations on the assumption that the other side will be so poorly represented that she can run roughshod over them—thus implicitly recognizing that the relative skill of competing lawyers is simply not as important as the relative strengths of their cases.
Cohen: Judge Rakoff, you adhere to your position that courtroom lawyers only rarely make a difference—that judges and jurors almost always get to the "right place" on their own. Still, the skilled imaginative lawyer may raise issues that the judge may not even consider on her own, and the jury may require the trial lawyer's passion, persistence, and command of the facts not present in every courtroom lawyer. No disrespect, but how can what you say be so?
Rakoff: I know it is very hard for such a talented (and high-priced) lawyer as Joel Cohen to contemplate that the facts and the law might carry the day regardless of the lawyering, but that has been my experience, and I find it reassuring. It evidences that, in most cases, we are a country governed not by lawyers but by laws. Yes, occasionally "the skilled, imaginative lawyer may raise issues that the judge may not even consider on her own," but this is not nearly as common as a judge raising such issues independently (as a result of having seen the issues raised in similar cases) and then asking the lawyers to address the issues.
Moreover, it is very rare that a trial lawyer will raise a truly novel issue, and there is a reason for this: Legal training is focused much more on analytic prowess than on creativity, and even when practicing litigators come up with original ideas, they tend not to raise them with the judge for fear that in a legal system governed by precedent, such novel ideas will seem "weird" and out of place. (To be sure, corporate and tax lawyers frequently come up with original ideas—or should we say "loopholes"—but not litigators.) As for "passion" and "persistence," these play a much bigger role in fictional courtroom dramas than in real life, where such approaches often come across as over-dramatization and stubbornness. (By contrast, "command of the facts" is important, but it is a very rare lawyer who does not know the facts of her case.) In short, an ounce of truth is worth a pound of bluster, and carries the day in most cases.
Cohen: Judge Posner, you've been sitting on a top appeals court in the nation for 35 years. Given that enormous experience, do you think that the quality of lawyering doesn't matter much—that the judges (and their clerks) will typically dig up the right result irrespective of who briefed and argued the case?
Posner: I don't think the quality of lawyering has anywhere near the effect on outcomes in the court of appeals that it has in a jury trial, since judges unlike jurors are both knowledgeable about law and experienced in adjudication.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl