INFORMAL PROCEDURE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 5, 21 January 1937, Page 9

INFORMAL PROCEDURE

— Preaa Association. >

Case Conducted Before The Privy Council NO WIGS OR GOWNS

(By Telegraph

AuuiMjiiiN u, jan. zu. An interesting description of the procedure followed before the. Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was given this morning by Mr J. Stanton, a city solicitor, who returued by the Napier Star froin London after conducting an appeal oase ih the Auckland City Council against the decision of the New Zealand Appeal Court that debenture payment« amountiug to £1,227,000 have to bo made in sterling. Judgment was reserved. Mr Stanton said that the experience was most interesting and that he was impressed by the informality of the proceedings in that the five judges Uiscuseed the matter.s with counsel rather than listen to prepared addresses. No wiga or gowns were worn, and the judges oecupied floor seats on the same level as those of the four counsel. The Court was held in unpretentious buildings. Publie accommodation was limited to about 20 persons. The hearing, ho added, oecupied two days from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The decision procedure is that notification is given of the promulgation of the decision on a certain date, when counsel attend and the registrar reads the effective paseages of the judgment, the judges usually being absent. The action, a friendly onej was arranged by the council and the Tfansport Board with the Alliance Assurance Co. over tramway bonds.