UNROBED BARRISTERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 177, 30 June 1925, Page 9

UNROBED BARRISTERS

COMMENTS BY THE JUDGE. RULE IN BANKRUPTCY SITTING. AUCKLAND, Juno 28. T*o barristers appearing for parties in the bankruptcy sitting of the Supreme Court were rebuked by Mr Justice Reed for failing to appear robed. When his Honour asked who was appearing in a certain case, a barrister rose. “Are you the debtor?” asked his Honour. “Oh, no, sir,” replied counsel. His Honour: Then why are you not robed ? Counsel replied that he had just been instructed by telephone from Hamilton, and did not think he would have to appear. That was why he had asked counsel on the other side to speak for liirn. He expressed hie regrets to the Court. A little later, another unrobed barrister rose on behalf of a petitioning creditor . His Honour: Are you the counsel to whom I spoke just now ?—No, sir. His Honour: Why are you not robed? — I did not know it was necessary, your Honour. His Honour: Why, how long have you been practising? Counsel explained, that he had just come from Wellington, where barristers did not robe for bankruptcy sittings. His Honour: Not when I was sitting. Counsel was allowed to proceed.