446
THE GREEN BAG
ble words, what the case is about — that it is an action for breach of promise of mar riage between Smith and Jones, or to re cover upon an insurance policy for a loss by fire — and resumes his seat. Then the leader — the great K. C. — really opens the case, at much length and with more detail and argument than would be good form in an American Court. He states his side's contention with particularity, reads
CORRIDOR,
make the closing speech to the jury. In this way a busy leader may have several trials going on at once. The. junior then proceeds to examine the witnesses with the help of an occasional whispered suggestion from the solicitor who is more than ever isolated by the depart ure of the leader. And the devil is proud when the junior audibly refers to him for some detail.
LONDON COURTS
documents and correspondence (none of which have to be proved unless their au thenticity is disputed, which the solicitors have long ago threshed out between them selves) and even indicates the position of the other side while arguing its fallacy. Having done this, he lets the junior call the wit nesses — more often he leaves the court room to take the same part in another case, and returns only to cross-examine an im portant witness for the other side, or to
If the leader is absent, which frequently happens, notwithstanding his fee has been paid, the junior takes his place — as no case is deferred by reason of counsel's ab sence — while the solicitor grumbles and more devolves upon the devil. Occasionally, indeed, both leader and junior may be elsewhere and then is the glorious opportunity of the poor devil who hungers for such accident; for he may open and examine and cross-examine, and, if
