Courtroom changes mid-hearing, as far as Obiter is aware, are a rare occurrence. As day two of a High Court battle between the Law Society and government, which had been taking place in Court 3 at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, drew to a close on Wednesday, Lord Justice Singh informed everyone that the hearing would need to move to Court 1 on Thursday.

After hearing that another case was changing courtroom, Obiter wondered if something was happening. Thursday morning, everything looked the same. Obiter entered the building the usual way. However, the parties in the Law Society JR spilled out of Court 1 to discover the main corridor blocked off and anyone wishing to leave the building would have to use a side exit.

A staff member told Obiter a ‘special VIP’ was coming but couldn’t say any more.

Turns out that ‘special VIP’ was His Majesty the King, who visited the courts for an event celebrating the relationship between the monarchy and judiciary.

The king visited the Main Hall and Costume Gallery where he was greeted by Judicial Office and HMCTS staff, and viewed photographs from the late Queen’s own visits and an exhibition celebrating pioneering women judges. The king also observed a mock trial overseen by deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram CBE and attended by pupils from Ashcroft Technology Academy in Wandsworth. He then attended a reception in the Painted Room where the lady chief justice delivered a short speech, before unveiling a plaque to mark the day.

 

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