header-logo header-logo

09 July 2015
Issue: 7660 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-detail

Complaints dismissed against "Harry Potter" judge

The Lord Chancellor and the President of the Queen’s Bench Division have dismissed complaints against Judge David Wynn Morgan, who reprimanded a solicitor-advocate for dressing “like something out of Harry Potter”.

They found that HHJ Morgan was “entitled to challenge the appearance and status as a legal representative of Mr Alan Blacker, also known as Lord Harley and this did not amount to misconduct.

“HHJ Morgan has been issued with informal advice regarding how to deal with such situations in future. This is not, however, a form of rebuke or disciplinary sanction.”

Morgan J, a Circuit Judge sitting at Cardiff Crown Court, came under fire after he criticised the attire of solicitor-advocate Alan Blacker, telling him that he would refuse to hear him if he appeared like that in court again. Blacker wore a gown embellished with a medal, ribbons and badges.

Blacker, who uses his hereditary title when appearing before the Crown court, accused Judge Morgan of judicial bias.

Issue: 7660 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces promotions at Ludlow office

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints partner in Leeds residential team

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

NEWS
The legal profession's AI challenge extends far beyond fabricated case citations, according to a warning about the next phase of technological risk
Law firms should use the transition period before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumes anti-money laundering (AML) supervision to strengthen governance and compliance, experts have warned
Cross-border disputes increasingly demand creative approaches to gathering evidence, with litigators needing to look beyond traditional letters of request
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified the distinction between contracts of 'indefinite' and 'perpetual' duration, with potentially significant implications for commercial drafting
The Court of Appeal was entitled to uphold the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, according to an analysis of the ruling
back-to-top-scroll