DISPENSING JUSTICE

Evening Star, Issue 22953, 10 May 1938, Page 6

DISPENSING JUSTICE

JUDGES ON TOUR A RETINUE OF HIS OWN Those of us who think that these are rather colourless days must have found a peculiar satisfaction iu Mr Justice Humphreys’s adjournment of Winchester Assizes because of the “ bitter draught ” in the court at Windcheater Castle, writes F. J. PrinceWhite, in the ‘ Daily Mail.’ Here, indeed, we might have said, is Justice in its Majesty; and —we could have added—in its might, for men laboured all night long to banish that draught, succeeding so well that next day a juror was overcome by excessive warmth.

The judge’s action was a reminder of his exalted power. For it may never be forgotten that a Judge of Assize is a representative of his Sovereign; he is on circuit to dispense the King’s Justice; it comes in the name of the King. Wherefore the Law’s majesty is linked with the majesty of the Crown. For this reason, also ; a judge who goes to Courts of Assize in a garrison town is deemed to .be, while he is there, the head of the army. The lOrd-lieutenant of the county, the high sheriff, the mayor, and other local dignitaries ’ give him ceremonial greeting and accompany him to the special service in cathedral or parish church which always 'is held before the Assizes Open. On the first day at the courts, when the Commission is read, his lordship arriving in the full glory of scarlet and ermine and full-bottomed wig," and carrying the Black Cap, is announced by a fanfare of trumpets, as the King himself would bo.

1 Until fairly recent years he was given, in many a town and city jealous of ancient. usage, a bodyguard of Javelin Men, who lined the steps of the court when, with slow and solemn gait and watched in breathless silence by awed crowds, he passed -within.. Those Javelin Men were an expensive item. They carried, real javelins and were clothed in rich antd showy apparel which, according to custom, had to be renewed every year. To-day a judge on circuit travels with a retinue of his own; he takies with him his marshal—often a young barrister who acts generally hs “ gentleman-in-waiting ” and agreeable companion—his clerk, his butler, and his cook!

His lordship may never be lodged in an inn or hotel: a suitable house must be provided for him. Sometimes it is a house reserved specially for his use; sometimes'', it is a desirable, -well-furnished residence rented for the occasion; at times it may be the rectory, obligingly vacated by the rector for a few days—and,, of course, for a consideration. We can see in this arrangement the continuance of another example of early—and . no doubt caution; a judge had thus to be segregated in order that he' might not be embarrassed- by overhearing talk relating to a case to be heard, nor importuned by parties in a cause. • Formerly this seclusion was complete; nowadays, however, a Judge of Assize may relax the old rule to the extent of having dinner with the lord lieutenant, or high sheriff, or with the Bar mess. * j Nowadays, too, some judges take their wives with them on circuit, biit usually only for part of the time, they are away. His lordship’s; arrival in an-‘assize town in days gone by was a great

spectacle; he and his staff and luggage rolled along in fine carriages, drawn by spanking horses, and the whole populace would turn out to gape and stare—though not to cheer. .Now he comes unromantically by train, and there is a ear— a large one, V it must be admitted—waiting for him at the station. But all that is true jromp still goes bn circuit with, my