But that doesn’t always follow. Especially if your opponents have deep pockets and political masters. Anonymous Assistant: Reality Litigation:

The case I hate most in the world is going to trial.   The Boss is joyous at the thought of the enormous fees it might generate but he is not the one who will have to liaise with the dreadful man from the Inland Revenue or put up with the diva-esque demands of our Tax Counsel.

“Can’t you settle it?” asks Jane.

“Don’t you think I’ve tried?”

“Clearly not hard enough.”

“It is against HMRC.  Negotiating with them is like negotiating with The Taliban.”

She nods, sympathetically.  “Worse than negotiating with The Boss.”

Which is saying something, seeing as he prides himself on being the, “toughest litigator in The City.”   But she’s right.  I’ve tried everything to settle this case but nothing has persuaded them to drop it.  The opponent I deal with is like a firebrand preacher, determined to see my client tortured in the bowels of hell for his alleged tax evading sins.

“Your client is making a mockery of the authority of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs officials!” he declares.

“He is just trying to reach a sensible compromise.”

“We do not compromise with criminals!”

Had he been talking about any of my other clients, I might have agreed but Mr Haliday is the one honest retainer I have.

“As I have explained to you, on several occasions,” I sigh, “We believe that your interpretation of the legislation is just as incorrect as you believe ours is.   One of us must be wrong but rather than go to the expense of asking a Court to decide, I thought I would see if we could reach some sort of agreement.”

He makes a sharp hissing sound, as if I have just suggested infanticide.

“You would rather risk tax payers’ money on proceedings would you?” I go on.

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