A GUINEA BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 155, 27 March 1926, Page 22

A GUINEA BRIEF

SURPRISE FOR FAMOUS COUNSEL.

When Joseph Thomas Dorsett, charged with motor-car thefts, appeared at London Sessions he asked if he might have a " dock brief ror which counsel receives .ill Is., and his clerk 2s. 6d. Permission was given by Sir Robert Wallace, K.C., the chairman, and for a moment or two Dorsett carefully scrutinised the row of barristers. At last, pointing with his finger, he said, “ I’ll have that one." " That one ” was Sir Travers Ilumphreys, senior Treasury counsel at the Central Criminal Court and leading counsel in many celebrated trials. Sir Travers was examining a motorcar clock at the moment, and had not noticed what, was going on. The other barristers were greatly amused at his being selected—but, oblivious alike of their amusement and the reason for it, he continued with his examination. Sir Robert Wallace spoke nt last: "Sir Travers, you are briefed for the defence.” , , “ Pardon, my lord,”. exclaimed Sir Travers, jumping up, with a surprised Then, smilingly, Sir Robert Wallace explained to Sir Travers that he had been selected by Dorsett to defend him. ** Thank you, my lord/* said Sir Travers, bowing and smiling. Later on, however, the case was put over until next Sessions. When this was done, Sir Travers Humphreys said that if he could be of any assistance to the Court or Dorsett then he would be "only too happy." A’ " dock brief" has often given a young barrister a first stop on the ladder, but is a novelty for counsel of Sir Trr-"rs Humphreys’ eminence. Although he has been most often on the side of the prosecution in big cases, Sir Travers has appeared for the defence on ’'numerous occasions, notablv in the Colonel Rutherford case. He was briefed for the de’ence of Hayley Mornss at Lewes, and appeared for him also in the Court of Criminal Appeal.