Novel Supreme Court Ceremony

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 1

Novel Supreme Court Ceremony

Twenty - three new practitioners were admitted to the Supreme Court in Christchurch yesterday, in a ceremony before the Full Court of both resident judges—the first of its kind in Christchurch. The candidates severally took their oaths of allegiance and honest practice, and were admitted by Mr Justice Macarthur. With him was Mr Justice Wilson. The Supreme Court—both its upstairs and downstairs galleries—was crowded by parents and friends of the candidates, and by Christchurch barristers and solicitors.

Colour was lent to the ceremony by the judges in their

scarlet ceremonial robes and long wigs, and a full gathering of robed counsel moving the admissions. “It is a pleasure to see in court today so many members of the Bar, including one of her Majesty’s counsel, and also so many of the solicitors who practise in Christchurch,” said Mr Justice Mac* arthur.

“They are all welcoming you to their ranks,” his Honour told the candidates. The new practitioners admitted were:— As barristers and solicitors: Miss C. J. Apperley, Mr P. G. Benseman, Miss M. W. Gaffaney, Messrs L J. D. Hall, A. W. Lewis, A. N. Mac Lean, W. A. Mather, R. F. A. Powell and F. B. Ross and Miss C. E. Withers. As barristers: Messrs J. E. Butler, P. G. Le M. Hutchesson, W. S. Smith and P. F.

Tempero, and Mrs E. H Templeton.

As solicitors: Messrs J. A. Callaghan, P. M. Davies, B. D. Kinley, M. L. Lilburne, A. R. C. Osmond, D. F. Quigley, R. D. Symns, and M. C. Walker. In his address Mr Justice Macarthur said: “Ladies and gentlemen who have been admitted, on behalf of the Judges of the Supreme Court, whom my brother Wilsbn and I represent today, I congratulate you on your admission. “As this ceremony shows, the Court regards the occasion as a solemn and important one In your lives,” he said. “I am sure there is no need for me to explain to you, who are lawyers, the significance of the oaths you have taken.” The candidates assembled in three groups—barristers, barristers and solicitors, and solicitors—on the floor of the Court, before the Judges’ bench, to havp the oaths administered by the registrar (Mr J. L. W. Gerken) and be admitted. Candidates then made their first bow in their new profession, and retired to their positions' to hear his Honour's addressPractice in the profession of law would demand much of them, his Honour said. First, there would be required unremitting industry —“sheer hard work,” said his Honour. Second, there would be heavy responsibilities to the Court, the community, the profession, and-themesives. “AH these responsibilities are implicit in the oath of true and honest practice which you,have taken today,” his Honour said. . . After the ceremony, the newly-admitted practitioners, and counsel moving their admission, were met by the Judges- in chambers.