The antics of John Deed make for amusing and well-acted television drama but I did not expect them to be replicated in our highest courts.
I refer to the article (ODT, 30.11.09) recounting that the highest court in the land has recalled a judgement after one of its judges disclosed that he effectively owed nearly a quarter of a million dollars to a QC who appeared before him in the Appeal Court.
The recall was based on apparent bias relating to the relationship between a judge and counsel.
Does it sound impossibly moralistic to suggest that a judge of the Supreme Court would be better not to have racing interests in respect of which he owes some hundreds of thousands of dollars?
To my mind, this whole business reflects a cynicism that if something is personal and legal, it is necessarily appropriate.
At a time when our newly constituted Supreme Court is seeking to establish itself as an effective substitute for the Privy Council, this sad episode should arguably have wider consequences for the individuals involved.
Keith Kendall
City Rise
- Keith Kendall is a retired lawyer.
This week's winner, Keith Kendall, of City Rise, receives a copy of Dave Cull's Big Weather South, Longacre Press, $29.99.
