FAMOUS PASSAGES AT ARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13725, 15 April 1908, Page 9

FAMOUS PASSAGES AT ARMS.

Passages at arms between judges and counsel are frequent in legal annals. Lord Erskine made what Lord Campbell described as a most noble stand for the independence of the Bar, when he objected to Mr. Justice Buffer's rendering of a. certain verdict. The judge threatened him with other action unless he remembered his duty. "I know my duty as well as Your Lordship knows yours," was" counsel's daring reply. Quite as dignified was the action of the late Philip Juclah Benjamin, in an appeal before the House of Lords. Lord Cairns characterised his argument as nonsense. Benjamin stopped, slowly, tied up his brief, bowed, and retired, and did not return until an apologetic and conciliatory message bad been sent. him. In lighter "vein was the retort of Mr. Ferguson, the Scottish advocate, before the Court of Sessions, when charged with showing contempt of Court. "No," was his quick reply; "1 am endeavouring to conceal it." Equally humorous (to those behind the scenes) were the stormy arguments that used to regularly take place between the late Vice-Chancellor Matins and his leading counsel, a Mr. (Jlasse. The judge, invariably made up the quarrel bv sending a note to the offending counsel, who was his life-long.friend,,inviting him to dinner. .- • • ■