“NEVER INTERRUPT!”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 1

“NEVER INTERRUPT!”

JUDGE’S ADVICE TO COUNSEL

RESULT OF A LITLE "BREEZE” AT AUCKLAND.

PEESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, May 23. Another “breeze” occurred in the Supreme Court to-day between Mrr Justice' Edwards and Mr T. Cotter, K.C. Mr Cotter was questioning tfio plaintiff as to the signing of a certain document, when his Honor interjected tnat Mi Cotter must desist from cross-examining plaintiff as to the accuracy or otherwise of statements ho had mane in the witness box the previous day. Mr Cotter retorted that he had asked the question to show that plaintiff had made some “rash statements."

His Honor: Any “rash statements’’ are duo to xvhat is equivalent to torture of tho plaintiff, xvho xvas in tho xviUies.-, box all yesterday afternoon and has been there all this morning. Mr Cotter voiced a strong objection to a reflection being throxvn on his method of cross-examination. He had his duty to his client to perform. His Honor (xviui warmth): The crossexamination of witness has been uudiuy prolonged. He has been unfairly pressed for his opinion on subjects of which he knows, nothing and his replies are treated as being assertions of fact. Mr Cotter xvas endeavouring to explain that he had asked tae questions because plaintiff’s counsel had raised the point in question the day before, xvhon he was stopped by his Honor, xvho remarked : “Mr Cotter, you have had two speeches; now proceed/’ The cross-examination had not progressed much further xvhen Mr Cotter’s methods xvere again under criticism. Hie Honor: Hoxv can I carry out this abominable and monotonous task of writing down irrelevant questions if counsel will persist in repeating xvituess’s words? I won’t allow it. A little later his Honor was addressing Mr l Cotter when he xvas interrupted by IVIr Cotter asking if he might make an explanation. His Honor : Never interrupt anyone, Mr Cotter, even in ordinary conversation. This is a cardinal rule in good manners. Never interrupt a judge unless you have the gravest possible reason for i doing eo.