UNROBED SOLICITORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18545, 4 May 1922, Page 11

UNROBED SOLICITORS

CAUSE.iCOMMENT -FROM JUDGE. ’ It. has often bepn said that clothes do noV; make the man, .hut. as iriatanceid by a happening in the Supreme 'Coprt . this morning a gown'has something to do when a, judge is. recognising, a solicitor , (says Friday’s „„Auckland, Star)! "When a case was 7 called 3 by the DSpuxy-piggis.trar in, the Bankmp’tcy 'Cpiirl this'morning a young barrister! and solicitor,. Mr (XTaylOr, stbod.up and informed Mr Justice- Heed, who was on ’ the bench, that he, was apnearing for a bank-' idpt who 1 sought his discharge. “Are- you- the 'bankrupt?” inquired Mr Justice ' Heed.—No. ■ ■Mr Justice Feed; Then 1 who are' you, iq what capacity do yon 1 appear? : Mr Taylor: I am solicitor for the bankmot, your Honor. i • Mr Justice Reed;. You should be robed when -you come to this court. Get, robed and I will hear you later. The solicitor then resumed his seat. Shortly afterwards another,. solicitor- considerably older than . Mr , Taylor, land who was not in court when the judge commented on the lack of sartorial etiquette displayed, announced that he was appearing in a matter that warranted the judge’s attention.. Mr Justice Reed: Why are, you not robed? It is the usual thing that - robes should be worn in this court. The Solicitor seemOd surprised, and apparently realising that he had "dropped” a blot on the escutcheon- of the' court, hesitated somewhat; “ I am a young solicitor, and I was not aware that it was the practice ts he robed at a Bankruptcy Court,' your Honor. 1 am not a barrister.” <- His .Honor then turning- to the Registrar,, inquired if it,was,the practice for' solicitors to come to the . Bankruptcy Court without robing. On, being informed that it had been the custom,, his Honor remarked that it was the first court in which he had. presided where solicitors had not been robed. ",H owev cr, X, will take this matter.” Subsequently the judge heard Mr Taylor and several other solicitors who were not robed. ’