Also known as: narrators · pleader · advocate
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A historical legal professional who prepares pleadings in court proceedings. The role involved drafting formal statements of claim known as narrs and was associated with serjeants-at-law.
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Natasha Nielsen retained a narrator to prepare pleadings challenging a state disclosure rule applied to her civic group. The narrator drafted the complaint asserting that forced membership would impair the group's expressive mission. The court applied the rule that a compelling interest in eradicating discrimination can override association claims when the group is large and nonselective.
Nyah Ndlovu hired a narrator to file a complaint against federal officials. The narrator included only conclusory allegations without factual support for the claims. The court dismissed the action because the pleadings failed to state a plausible claim under the governing standard.
Nolan Nunez's narrator prepared post-conviction papers asserting that trial counsel failed to investigate mitigating evidence. The court evaluated whether counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and whether prejudice resulted.
Nadia Novak instructed her narrator to assert work-product immunity over interview notes prepared in anticipation of litigation. The court held that such materials prepared by counsel receive qualified protection from discovery.
Nina Nielsen's narrator drafted a complaint alleging defamation by a newspaper. The narrator included facts showing the publication was made with knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
Nancy Nelson retained a narrator to challenge a university funding denial for her student publication. The narrator alleged the denial was based on the religious viewpoint expressed in the paper.
A narrator prepared formal pleadings known as narrs that set forth a party's claim. The role was typically filled by serjeants-at-law who drafted the written statements required to commence an action.
Supporting sources
…traces the treatment of these and other cases by earlier commentators. He concludes that Coke, who himself participated as an advocate in an abortion case in 1601, may have intentionally misstated the law. The author even suggests a reason: Coke's strong feelings against abortion, coupled with his determination to assert…