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.
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It is actually very important - small things can be - as it demonstrates the users' ignorance of procedure and contempt for their readers and audience (for the latter I am thinking of television & films - the wrong wigs & robes are other favourites). With so much other poor reporting, writing and dramatising, it adds to the cumulative misrepresentation in the UK Main Steam Media.
ReplyDeleteIn the film U71 it is claimed the Americans captured an enigma coding machine, when it was actually the Brits. When questioned about it, the director replied 'Why let fact get in the way of a great story?' The press have been doing this for years.
ReplyDeleteSurely the way to satisfy everyone is to issue magistrates and judges with gavels?
ReplyDeleteThe courts are becoming auction houses anyway (in terms of people having to pay outrageous fees for very small misdemeanours) so why not?
DeleteI think we all know what little gift the bench will be buying for Bystander on Bystander's last day.
ReplyDeleteI share BS and others annoyance at gavels. Although the lovely Rob Rinder was forced to have one on his bench for his version of 'Judge Judy' apparently he absolutely refused to touch it at any time. Nevertheless it is there - along with some patriotic flags for good measure. I'd rather stick to the coat of arms thanks - much more tasteful!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to second "Anonymous 6 August 2015 at 10:46" motion.
ReplyDeleteYour irrational stance on gavels, BS, is becoming tiresome. I am a founding member of the Leonard Sachs Appreciation Society. Dressed in full evening attire, three of us meet every year, to roar out alliterative polysyllabic words, which none of us understands, while banging our gavels with great gusto. It's exhausting, but this country would be a better place if there were more of this sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteThe gavel is only an emblem for the law, even if factually incorrect one. Level crossings are decorated with cartoons of steam locomotives. Samuel Adams beer bottles actually depict Paul Revere. Barbers' poles actually derive from surgeon's premises. The Medici family's three brass balls connote a pawn broker. In the USA, there are the Democratic donkeys and the Republican elephants. A successful emblem indicates some specific identity, whether it be an individual, a profession, or a company. Historical accuracy comes second.
ReplyDeleteMay I reiterate a post from way back?
ReplyDeleteNo court of law in this country uses a gavel, but the media persist in portraying them. I blame a stupid Bruce Forsyth advert for Courts Furniture Stores that ran some years ago. Courts have now gone bust. Good.