Report comment

When I was undertaking my training contract about ten years + ago, I was sent as support on a case in Rhyl, where a judge who was very well known for his explosive temper was sitting. He was rude and abusive to the barristers and solicitors alike and sarcastic to the parties in the case and their witnesses for absolutely no reason whatsoever. He forced our barrister to cancel her family holiday to Scotland which had been planned long before, as he threatened to hold her in contempt of court if she sent another barrister in her place on his chosen date for when the case would be continued. He shouted at her for even daring to mention that she couldn't make the date because of a holiday, questioning her work ethic and competency. I decided there and then that I wouldn't undertake contentious work as there was no way that I was going to let anyone speak to me like that for doing my job! It's about time this type of behaviour was stopped.