"WORE OLDEST WIG."
SELECTION OF BARRISTER.
DOCK DEFENCE SYSTEM IN N.S.W.
SYDNEY, September 12.
The English "dock defence" system has been introduced in New South Wales, courts. Under the system any prisoner possessing £1 3/0 in cash for a fee may brief any robed barrister" in court. The accused may not see counsel's face before he make* his selection.
On the first day of the introduction of the svstenl five accused indicated that they would like to avail themselves of the privilege, but only two possessed the necessarv fee.
Chairs were arranged in neat rows on either side of the Bar table, facing the Bench with their back* to the dock. A few minutes before the judge entered the court 14 young barristers filed in and took their places. The two accused could see only rows of wigs and black gowns. One chose "the middle man in the back row," who was Mr. J. G. Coyle, son of Judge Coyle. The other chose "the first gentleman on the right in the front row." The first accused explained later that he had "simply taken pot luck" in making his selection. But the other accused said that his choice had been governed by the fact that the barrister he had selected "wore the oldest wig."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19380917.2.81
Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 220, 17 September 1938, Page 12
Word Count
213"WORE OLDEST WIG." Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 220, 17 September 1938, Page 12
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