PRIVY COUNCIL

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 250, 21 October 1926, Page 12

PRIVY COUNCIL

A GREAT TRIBUNAL.

A NEW "ZEALANDER'S IMPRESSIONS.

"There is a feeling in some parts,of thei; Empire that the Privy Council ehould be abolished, but I am convinced that it would be disastrous if that were done." This was one of the remarks made in an interview by Mr. Maurice Gresson, a well-known Christ.church barrister, who has returned from England, where he appeared, in two cases before the Privy Council.

"In* the Council one gets 4he cream of English lawyers," said Mr. Gresson, "and they are so far from the scene of -litigation that ths matters before them are viewed with the necessary judicial calm." Mr. Gresson was impressed by the simplicity of the Privy Council. "Although it is the highest Court of Appeal in the world," he said, 'it sits under circumstances quite lacking in pomp. It is just a committee in a large square room. There is no formal luncheon adjournment, but the Court rises at 1.30 and may resume again at any time. One just gets a chop from the usher if possible."

Before the Council few cases were ever cited and most of the arguments there were about principle alone. There was an increased number of appeals coming before the Council, Indian cases being particularly plentiful. Five members of the Council heard the appeals, and sometimes there was so much work to be dealt with that it was necessary to have members of,the English Court of Appeal assisting with cases which had come before the Council for decision. "No-one can-fail to be impressed with the weight which ought rightfully to be attached to the decisions of the Council," said Mr. Gresson. >

For three months Mr. Gresson did not let a day go by without- seeing something of the English Courts. He said that the administration of justice generally was wonderful. The work was not done quickly, but it was done smoothly. There was great pressure of work, and the Judges themselves . it would be impertinent to praise.