A LENGTHY LAWSUIT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14245, 20 June 1908, Page 10

A LENGTHY LAWSUIT.

PHENOMENAL FEES FOR COUNSEL;' thirty-thrbbl)ays , "tbial; (From Odb Ovrs CokCesposident.) LONDON, Slay 8. A remarkably "fat case/ 1 for counsel, ■ came to a conclusion hero on Saturday. It was one of the longest and costliest lawsuite on record. The trial lasted 33 days, and at least £70,000 was spent in coste. The plaintiff* were Mr Isidor Wyler and the Ibo and Nyaa» Corporation, who sued ' Messrs Lewis and Marks (financiers), Sir Robert Edgcumbe, Mr John Scear, and Mr C F. Rowsell for damages for alleged conspiracy iu connection, with the Nyassa Concession Company. After a three hours' consultation the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs against all the defendants, excopt Sir Robert Edgcumbe, assessing the damages at £65,472. 'This remarkable oase was begun on March 2, before Mr Justice Phillimore and a special jury. Counsel's opening speech lasted three whole days, and another four days were required "to road through the mass of documents which was produced. These documents were eo numerous arid bulky that a room in charge of a special clerk had to be set apart for them. No fewer than nine counsel wore engaged in the case, aJid the following figures show the amount of tho retainer and the daily "refresher" paid to each:— ,-' " Daily ' Retainer. Ecfresheri Sir Edward Carson, K.C. £1000 .£IOO Air Isaacs, K.C. .... 1000 100 Mr Eldon Bankos, K.C. ,1000 100 Mr Luali, K.C. 750 75 Mr Kohler, K.C 750 75 Mr Joseph .. 400 . no '■ Mr Wallace ~., .. .. 400 .•• ad Mr Lloyd .. -..; .. .. 300 . 20 Mt Coheu 150 . ' lo The special fees for the jury, nearly all of whom were shopkeepers, came to about £400, while the shorthand writers' account will 6wollow another £1500. ' / Naturally, the strain of the long hearing told seriously on everyone engaged in tho case. Mr Justice Philiimorewas exhausted one day. "i am sorry, gentlemen," he said,' "but I tin really too tired, to go any further to-day." Sir Edward Carson, broke down with a severe attack of neuralgia, while Mr Lush and Mr Rufus Isaacs also suffered in their health in eonequencc of the severe strain imposed on them. It was' with a deep sigh of relief that rlie learned Judge started his summing-up, which occupied eight hours. "In connection with matter," he said, "thero have been no fewer than 19 legal actions in England, and five in Lisbon, while a goodly number have gone to appeal." But even now the dispute is not finally settled. Notice of appeal is to be given, so that many more days, as well as additional thousands of pounds, are to be spent before tho case is dually disposed of. Among other famous long trials may bo mentioned Tichborne case (civil suit), 103 days, year 1867; Tichborne case (criminal prosecution), begun April 23, 1872, prosecution closed July 10, defence finished at tho 24th dav, summing-up lasted from January 29 to February 28, 1874 (longest case on record); Lord Longford versus Wellington • Punlon, 25 days, year 1877; conspiracy to defeat the ends of justice, 28 days, year 1877; Belt v. Lawes (Vanity Fair libel), 43 days, year 1877: Hansard Publishing Union. 24 days, year 1892; Zierenberg v. Labourche, 20 days, year 1894; Hooley prosecution, 21 days, year 1904.