Lancashire Lad Rails at Harry Potter Jibe

You may have read both in the Times and also the Law Society Gazette (8 September 2014 www.lawgazette.co.uk) of a Judge laying into an advocate solicitor who wore ribbons and medals on his gown during a trial.

The Judge said “If ever you appear before this Court dressed as you are I shall exercise my right to decline to hear you”.

Keep an eye on this story.  This solicitor sounds like quite a character, and I hope that he will turn up before the same Judge in the same Court dressed in exactly the same way.  I then hope that the Judge will decline his right to hear him, and that he will then appeal that decision.

We live in a modern society and a Judge whilst having control of his court room cannot lay down the law like this.  I once had a client where the Judge told him to take off his overcoat in Court.  On my advice the client refused.

He was not because he was particularly cold, but because he objected to being told what to wear.  We brazened it out and got away with it.  Many lawyers might say this is not the way to get the Judge’s sympathy but with a Judge like that you have not got it anyway so stand up to him and make sure the Judge does not abuse his power.

I have grave doubts that Judge can stop an advocate wearing medals and ribbons on his gown if he chooses to.  Where will it end?  A coloured tie like Peter Snow?

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