London Needs More Judges And Courts

Chronicle (Levin), 6 September 1949, Page 5

London Needs More Judges And Courts

LONDON, Sept. 5. Shorter holidavs and longer hours of work for High Court .Tudges, are recommend^d in an interim report by the committee on Rupreme Court practice and procedure. The appointment of four new .Tudges and the buildmg of four new Law Courts in T.ondon, are alsn urged. The reason for the changes is to make it possible to fix exaet dates fot the hearing of all High Court cases in London, in which witnesses appear. This reform has the strong support of the legal profession, adds the report. The commitiee, over which the Master of the RoTls, Rir Raymond Evershed presided, says it is impossible to assess the financial loss suffered by the community or even by litigants, owing to dates not being fixed, but Vt must be very considerable. Among them are riot only time lost by litigants and others attending at court while waiting for cases to be heard, but also mounting costs for witnesses and other fees. Even more important is the fact that expert witnesses can accept no other engagements during the month or more when they may be awaiting call to give evidenee. They can make no cngagements with otfier clients in the meantime and that, says the committee, is the reason why so many, reluctant -to be "involved" in a court case, charge sucli high fees. The reform is urged for operation not- later than a year from now, at' the opening of the Meehaelmas session in 1950.