The Old Bailey Bar.
The Times, 1824-10-28T00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES4. Sir,--,^s the courts of jtustice at the Old Bailey and Clerkenwelf are again open, it rnay not be considered as al- together unseasonable, if a few hints be dropped for the benefit of the learned persons who are accustomed to prac- tice as counsel in those places. And the first remark to be made applies to a very seri- otis complaint that has repeatedly been heard -with reference to the maiimer in which their clients are somitimes treated. Many a poor prisoner, havinig made considerable exertions to raise the amount necessary for defraying the expenses of a defence, is much (listressed to find, on being called to the bar to take his trial, that the barrister, to whom his briet; and of course an accompanying fee had been given, is returned non est inventus-he is at Clerk- enweIl Sessions-house, or in the Oltd Court or New Court, or dining at the Sherifrs' table: at all events, he is any where but in the place where his client needs his as- sistance. The Judge, perlhaps, will not allow the case to stand over, and the unfortunate man goes undefende(d: or if the matter be not exactly thus, he is little bcnefitted, should the brief have been placed in the hanids of some inexperienced iunior counsel as a substitute, in order to prevent the necessity of refunding the fee ; although it seems to be tenaciously held by some of these gen- tlemen, as a point of practice never to be depart- ed from, that fees not being recoverable by an ac- tion at law, they are in no case returnable. XVhen accidents of the foregoing descriptioll occur, it is not unusual for one of these negligent advocates-the trial be- ing over, and the prisoner having, perhaps, been convicted and sentenced-to find his way into the court, and rise and address the Judge in a pompous speech about his zeal for theiinterests of his clients, andso forth, and complain of the Cruel misrepresentations of the public press. T'he conduct of these learned persons, " Qlei iras et verba locant," towards witnesses, is a subject whichl has often justly called forth the indignant aninadversion of those who have been accustomned to be present (luring the administration of justice in this conntry: such have been repeatedly disgustect by the bullying or pert manner in which respectable persons are treated, who are obliged, sometimes at great pecuniary and personal inconvenience, to attend and give their evidence in cases wherein they have not the smallest interest, except that of promioting the pur- poses of justice. How are t4ey often browbeaten, or made to appear ridiculbus, for the purpose of giving the counsel an opportunity of displaying a little wit, and conlverting a solemn court of ju(dicature into a place of amusement. But all who possess the least honourable proper feeling will unanimously award a superlative degree of opprobrium as due to that unmanly gownsman who seems to enjoy an op- portunity of getting a delicate and timid female upon the rack of oross-exanmination, whiist a row of unemployed coxcombs are sittina immediately opposite the unfortunate witness, mnaking their rude remarks, and laughling in her face. It is astonishing that the Court does not more fre- quently extendl protection to persons in such truly cm. barrassing circunmstances: the indignation of the jury has not 'beeni infrequently ranifested on such occasions. An Old Bailey counsel is certainly not the highest style to whiclh a member of the legal profession aspires; but some celebrated mcn have commenced their career in the inferior courts, and risen to eminenco; some who now practice in them areby hirth and education gentlemnen, and from such something like dlecorum is to be expected. Much might be added as to the unbecomitng want of (leference towards the Court, more especially when the pre- siding Judge does not happen to be one of the twelve : also as to the immense portion of valuable public time that is wasted in personal janglings. ARISTIDES THE OLD fiAILEY BAR.