LAW'S DELAY NOT FAULT OF COURTS

Chronicle (Levin), 2 August 1947, Page 7

LAW'S DELAY NOT FAULT OF COURTS

Modern Hamlets who find cause to. complain of "the law's delays" should' not hastily condemn the machinery of tlie courts, according to the remarks of Mr. Justice Fair to counsel in the Supreme Court at Palmerston North on Thursday. "It is very rarelv that the courts are responsilile for delays in bringing on proceedings, ' ' said his Honour to Mr. G. Crossley after the latter had asked for a fixture to be adjournecl to the next sessions of tlie court. "Most of the delays are caused by counsel or the parties not being ready to proceed." " Sometimes unduly long delays took place in bringing proceedings bofore tlie courts, and quite often critieism was levelled at tlie courts because of tlie time lag, conimented his Ilonour. "T am quite prepared to make a 'fix--ture for you at tlie beginning, or in the middle or at tlie end of next week, " he tohi Mr. Crossley, adding that an adjournnient to the next sessions meant a deiay of three nionths. When Mr. Crossley pointed out that it would not be possiblc to bring the fixture 011 at sucli an early date, his Honour granted the adjournment requested, but plaeed a minute on the iile to the effi'ect tliat it had been granted at the request of counsel wlio were not tlien ready to proceed. "I tliink that is quite a fair statement to make, Mr. Crossley," said his Honour. "Yes, sir," replied Mr. Crossley.