Day 165 - 27 Sep 95 - Page 39
1 in the evidence we have had discussions about meaning, so
2 I think it must have been in the back of everyone's mind
3 for a considerable time. For better or worse, at the end
4 of the day, if it were a jury, it would just be what they
5 made of it when they read it through and the same applies
6 to me. I want you to have time to prepare your argument
7 but, I have to say, I do not think it is a matter which
8 profits from too much churning and churning over in your
9 mind.
10
11 MR. MORRIS: What we would like to do is, basically, as far as
12 possible, call our employment witnesses in a block, bearing
13 in mind the problems with the Canada which we accept the
14 Plaintiffs' proposal to bring them on the date suitable to
15 them which seems like 6th November.
16
17 As far as the meaning, I would like as much of the half
18 term week to be kept vacant as possible. We could either
19 have the meaning discussion on, say, we start on 19th
20 October after Mehigan is dealt, or on the Thursday of the
21 half term week, if that was felt appropriate. I do not
22 know if it will go over to the following day or not, but it
23 might be prudent to at least put it down for two days.
24 There will probably be other relevant discussions.
25
26 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I find it difficult to see how it could
27 possibly last even a day, I have to say.
28
29 MR. MORRIS: OK, but I think the Thursday.
30
31 MR. JUSTICE BELL: That is allowing for the fact that, although
32 you may have a common case on it, there are two of you.
33
34 MR. MORRIS: So we are looking like the week of the half term is
35 some kind of quite handy break before we actually call our
36 witnesses, although one of those days could be the meaning,
37 the nutrition meaning, if you wished. We will leave it up
38 to you really. What about Friday 20th? If we can get that
39 discussion in one day, we could do it on Friday 20th. It
40 also allows for -----
41
42 MR. JUSTICE BELL: How long would you allow for
43 cross-examination of Mr. Mehigan if he came earlier that
44 week?
45
46 MR. MORRIS: He is on 16th, is he not at the moment?
47
48 MR. JUSTICE BELL: No, 16th was the earliest Mr. Rampton thought
49 he could get him.
50
51 MR. RAMPTON: I think it was his most convenient date actually,
52 although I know it is the earliest.
53
54 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Can we say Mr. Mehigan for the 16th?
55
56 MR. RAMPTON: Yes, my Lord, that would be very good for him.
57
58 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Do you have any argument to raise against
59 Mr. Mehigan on 16th?
60
