As the UK swelters amid a mercury-popping heatwave, spare a thought for m’learned friends who must wear wigs and gowns in courts up and down the country.

They could take inspiration from the Tour de France where riders are regularly seen with a pair of tights full of ice draped over the back of their neck, which might tuck neatly underneath a gown.

Or perhaps their judge will be more considerate than the then-Lord Justice Gross, who in a previous heatwave a few years ago – when the heating outside Court 4 of the Royal Courts of Justice in London was stuck on – insisted counsel remain formal in the furnace.

Worse still, a great many court buildings do not have any water available for the public, including the Royal Courts of Justice and the Rolls Building – where the water fountains have been switched off since the pandemic, barring a recently-revived one on the second floor of the Rolls – and Southwark Crown Court, which has been dry for many years.

The Ministry of Justice told Obiter that ‘most courts have a watercooler in the reception area’ and that ‘if anyone at any point needs water, they could signal to staff’.

So, Obiter decided to put this to the test at the RCJ reception and asked if there was anywhere to get water in the building. ‘Not really,’ came the reply with a rueful chuckle, ‘we get ours from the toilet.’ They added: ‘There is a Pret over the road.’

Have any readers encountered a still-working water fountain in one of HM’s courts? Please get in touch.

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