114. Lecture at the Old Bailey, 11 April 2019

After a hectic day at the Election Court and Lunch, a slight change of pace and a short walk along the Embankment and Blackfriars to attend the Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture at the Old Bailey. The lecture was held in association with the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund, with the Citizens Advice Witness Service and with PACT to mark their 120^th anniversary. The lecture was given by His Honour Judge Nicolas Hilliard QC, the Recorder of London (see picture). It was an opportunity not to be missed.

Held in Number 1 Court (my second visit this year – see Blog No 71), the audience was a mixture of Livery Masters, supporters of the organising associations, benefactors and the general public. We all took our places in this most celebrated of venues and I was seated on the prosecution bench (very uncomfortable!). His Honour wasted no time in getting into his lecture which he delivered seated and reading from scrupulously prepared hand-written notes. One could quite imagine him summing up for the jury after a long and complex trial!

His theme was the integral role the volunteer plays in the operation of the criminal justice system and in particular in witness support. He described in great detail in the needs of the witness (both prosecution and defence) and the incredible support given to them by PACT volunteers and others. He then invited four such volunteers to join him and to tell their own story as to why they volunteered and with such obvious passion. Some were driven by a moral or religious imperative, some by personal involvement in the criminal system (one was the mother of a murder victim). But all showed great dignity and respect for the demands of the legal system but with a strong humanitarian side. Many had been volunteers for a long time.

His Honour then paid tribute to the work of the Livery and their support of the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund and the charitable giving it provides. It was a well-crafted lecture and very humbling.

At its conclusion a brief introduction to the Old Bailey was given by former Non-Aldermanic Sheriff, Neil Redcliffe. His knowledge of the building, its history and operation is encyclopaedic (as a Sheriff he lived there for a year) and so it was most interesting tour. A small drinks reception rounded off the evening and an opportunity to chat to some of the volunteers.

A very thought-provoking evening and a chance to see the great building from the inside out. Thank you to all those involved.