Supreme Court JURORS NOT REQUIRED

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 20

Supreme Court JURORS NOT REQUIRED

Explanation ®y ; Judge i For the second day in [succession jurors attending the Supreme Court yesterday to hear la civil case were told that their ijervices were not required. After hearing that the case set down cotild not proceed because a vital medical witness, was not availably, they were told by Mr Justicte Hutchison that the Court regretted they had been called unnecessarily.

The 50 jurors present were each: paid 15s for half a da:fs jury service.

Mr R. Twyneham, who appeared, for the plaintiff in a £9710 dam-> ages claim, asked for the, fixture) to be vacated, and was [granted; leave to have the easel called again on Friday. The evidence, of the witness was important to the plaintiff’s case as 4ipon it would depend the granting of damages to be awarded, jhe explained. “You have heard counsel’s application to adjourn this’ fixture for the reasons he gav|e.” his Honour told the jurors. . “There were other cases set dosvn but they have been settled, land as the result there will be no case for you to hear today.

“It is regretted by the Court authorities that you ha,i been called here unnecessarily this morning, but it is only Unnecessary because of what bias just happened.”

His Honour said the I jurors would be required to attend the Court again this morning, but would be notified by tfelegram if the case set down sholuld not go on.

“You will please understand the authorities much regret iftat you have been brought here this morning,” he added. “B|ut your mere presence to hear easels causes people at the last moment |to settle differences between . themselves rather than go on with tlie trial. “I thought you were [entitled to that explanation," his (Honour told the jurors. Later the Registrar (Mir J. L. W. Gerken), told a reporter that the Court always tried to' avoid calling jurors unnecessarily. When a case was settled out of. Court or could not proceed jurors were usually advised by telegrslm. But this could be done only I if the office was notified in tiiteie the previous day by counsel. —— . i Decision Reserved On Motion 1 A motion for leave to I bring an action out of time was opposed in the Supreme Court j.esterday on the grounds that tHe delay in bringing the case would prejudice the defendant aniff that there was no reasonable (cause for granting the motion. "Die application was - mad e by Alice Grace Sparrow, a married woman, the intended plaintiff in an action for damages arisini* out of a motor accident in Yaldliurst road in January, 1956. She' was represented by Mr P. H. T. Alpers. Mr P. T. Mahon appeared for the intended defendant, Arnold' Alfred Grimmer. After hearing submission s for both parties Mr Justice HtStchi-, son reserved his decision. | Decree Nisi Granted^—ln an undefended petition for divorc«> on the ground of desertion Frimcls Reginald Simpson (Mr B k J. Drake) was granted a decree) nisi in the Supreme Court yestetrday against Rita Elizabeth Simpsem.