Obiter recently asked for examples of hammy behaviour in the courtroom. Our thanks to David Holt at Suffolk County Council for this little tale of a pompous barrister being given his comeuppance by a judge in the 1970s, when Holt was an articled clerk.

‘In Watford County Court, the possession hearings in open court were presided over by Judge Stockdale. There was a routine landlord and tenant case being heard, which would result in the usual 28-day order. But the barrister appearing for the tenant went into a long emotional plea, tugging at the heartstrings on behalf of a poor, deserted wife and her children, who would be thrown out on the streets.

‘Glances were exchanged between other advocates as this went on and on. Eventually the judge said simply, "Mr X, there’s no jury here". The barrister drew himself up to full height, sniffed and looked around then said, "I am sorry, I was forgetting as I don’t normally practise in these courts." Judge Stockdale acerbically replied, "No, I can see that…"’

A catty exchange between supercilious barrister and underwhelmed judge. How things have moved on since then. Haven’t they?