As I came back from lunch today, I came across the bench from Court 6, on their way back into court. The chairman is not specially experienced, but very bright and capable.
"Have a good afternoon" I wished, "I don't think so" she replied. "We've got the Freemen on the Land in."
These nutters are no threat to a court with a determined and experienced chairman and a solid clerk.
I hope that my colleague was happy with how things went.
Musings and Snippets from a recently retired JP. I served for 31 years, mostly in west London. I was Chairman of my Bench for some years, and a member of the National Bench Chairmen's Forum All cases are based on real ones, but anonymised and composited. All opinions are those of one or more individuals. JPs swear to enforce the law of the land, whether or not they approve of it. Nothing on here constitutes legal advice.
"If you don't think we have jurisdiction over you, that's just fine. However, that large security guard over there disagrees with you."
ReplyDeleteThat's all you need to say, isn't it?
If only we had security guards, of any size, in the court room...............
DeleteI'm currently in a legal situation with a relative who is the executor of a will and is convinced he can re-interpret the laws of probate to his advantage. Even the thought of a jail sentence has not deterred him. He is right, everyone else is wrong.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThese sad people are getting more and more common in our courts and I fear that the current celebration of Magna Carta will only encourage them!! We have asked our Clerks to come up with a standard response when they come in spouting their nonsense. No dice so far but we live in hope...JP of the Family South London!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI have never come across this particular flavour of fruitcake so I did a bit of research. Wow, they really are as mad as a box of frogs!
ReplyDeleteI must admit there is a part of me that would relish the prospect of one of these ridiculous clowns appearing in my court. I can think of one or two chairs and LAs who would be more than a little nonplussed. It would brighten up the proceedings somewhat. That said, I have no doubt that the novelty would wear off very quickly.
A warning. Chance to apologise & leave. If not start contempt proceedings after some time for them to reflect on life in the cells.....
ReplyDeleteAt least those are comical if a little annoying, unlike their American brethren which are terrifying
ReplyDeleteHmm, so they are all nuts; really ?. Maybe we are all nuts in acquiescing in the current charade called Justice. I am not a FOTL nutter either.
ReplyDeleteI remember watching one notorius Freeman, Raymond St Clair, filming an interview with a poiliceman over allegedly leaving a restaurant without paying the bill. He put the film on YouTube and old Ray made the poor PC hand write page after page of written statements of hime saying nothing other than how no one has judisidiction over him and using all kinds of pseudolegal woo.
ReplyDeleteAs a concept, the Freeman is an interesting one, in that we are all governed by consent and they go on to say that money is only real in our imagination which I agree with to a point, but like other commentators have said, the people that use Freeman as lifestyle are as mad as a box of frogs.
Freeman logic seems to go like this: "I am in the dock therefore I must be a ship." They then start quoting "Admiralty Law".
ReplyDeleteIt either adds colour to the day or is a complete affront to justice---- but I can't decide
ReplyDeleteBy of the family Stander ...
ReplyDeleteFor South London JP - There is a very good Canadian judgment Meads v Meads 2012 ABQB 571 which delves into their history and takes it apart. As it's a Common Law jurisdiction, colleagues may find it very helpful.
ReplyDeleteWell, they may be criminally insane, but at least they think the consent of the governed ought to matter to somebody, somehow. Anybody who doesn't is much more terrifyingly insane than they are.
ReplyDeleteOf course none of that makes them any less annoying to deal with in your court room.
How wonderful to hear from the unsurpassable 3H!
DeleteYour blog was and is memorably funny, albeit borderline insane. I hope that the link on this blog has brought you a bit of traffic.
Stay in touch.