Thread of useful links and phone numbers: Christmas is always a difficult time for many people. This one is liable to be a lot harder for so many more though, and for so many more reasons than many expect. 1/

Domestic violence always tends to rise over Christmas. With households being locked down for much of the year already it's likely that this year will be worse. @RefugeCharity's helpline is 0800 2000247, with further organisations detailed in the link. 2/
https://t.co/6qQxNKFy3M
Poverty is rising with many families hit by job losses and reduced pay. Food banks are going to play an even more essential role. If you need one, or have overbought for Christmas and can donate rather than waste, @TrussellTrust has a food bank locator. 3/
https://t.co/XNFqix7J39
Christmas has always been a tough time for many people, even before Covid. Sadly this has long been reflected in the increase in suicides over the period. The @samaritans are there to listen. Don't suffer on your own. Their number is 116 123. 4/

https://t.co/EdSG3hrxhb
2020 has been particularly hard on people's mental health, and loneliness over Christmas can exacerbate that. @MindCharity's infoline on 0300 123 3393 is there to help. 5/
https://t.co/ZTKJ5ys9ij
Winter in general is always a hard time for rough sleepers. With fewer people around, or carrying cash they can donate, this year risks many more being abandoned. @Shelter provides help and assistance, or you can call @Tell_StreetLink on 0300 500 0914 6/
https://t.co/SCVIbxfn5g
We've heard a lot this year about protecting the elderly, but Christmas is always a very difficult time. With so many caught up by restrictions please reach out if you can to provide support. @age_uk has resources which could be of help. 7/
https://t.co/ALJvvCawZb
For a lot of autistic individuals rapid changes to plans and routines can have a detrimental effect, to say the least. With changes to restrictions happening so quickly some may be struggling. @Autism's website may provide some help though. 8/
https://t.co/So3jpxzxiG
We're all feeling it in different ways this year, but we can all support one another. If you suspect someone is struggling reach out to help. It's going to be a different Christmas this year, and a painful one for many. We need each other more than ever right now. 9/

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There is a now-relevant parallel here to the difference here between matters before a judge & matters before a jury. Judges are far more reluctant to strike testimony or evidence if they are the only recipients of it, with the theory being that they are really smart about ...


law stuff & will know what they can & can't consider. For instance, there is a long-held rule that a fact witness can't make legal arguments, only a lawyer. So what will happen in a motion for summary judgment, where the entire proceeding is on paper, will play out like this:

1) Defendant makes a motion for summary judgment. It includes a sworn declaration from some fact witness.

2) The declaration includes all sorts of legal arguments about why the defendant should win. Often the declaration includes arguments the brief didn't even make.

Defendants (especially DOJ-represented ones) often do this to get around the word or page-limits placed on briefs.

3) Plaintiff moves to strike the declaration for its inclusion of inadmissible legal arguments.

4) Judge denies the motion to strike, on the grounds that a ...

judge is a sophisticated consumer of evidence & can choose what to consider & what to ignore, unlike a jury.

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