静のHRS-K Theory

We had a special technique for dealing with problem clients. The first step was to ask for a substantial deposit, because inevitably they wanted the lawyer to put in hundreds of hours of time, urgently, and equally inevitably could not grasp the concept of payment for services rendered. The second and crucial step was to compose a CYA letter and ask the client to sign it. “CYA” stood for “Cover Your Bottom”. It was along these lines:

“I, ____, acknowledge that my lawyer has told me that the action I want to take:

(1) is certain to fail;

(2) is going to cost me more money than I have

(3) will not achieve anything at all, and

(4) will ensure that I am committed to a secure unit of a psychiatric institution sooner than would otherwise occur.

Despite all this advise I am instructing my lawyer to take this action.”

Such a letter never seemed to stop the client adding us to the long list of conspirators when the desired result did not eventuate, but it certainly made us feel better.

From Judith Fordham, Life, Law and not enough shoes 119, 2008