Day 093 - 28 Feb 95 - Page 62
1 down, get yourself organised for whether there is anything
2 within this section, and when we get to the end of this
3 afternoon, perhaps in half an hours time, it would be
4 helpful if you can give a best estimate of how much longer
5 you think you will need. Concentrate on getting ready to
6 move on first of all. The question of time is also
7 important so that we can see whether we might have time to
8 look at your application for leave to amend and look at
9 that.
10
11 MR. MORRIS: There are other matters as well.
12
13 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Is there anything else you want to raise?
14
15 MR. MORRIS: We were hoping definitely to finish by Thursday
16 lunch time so we could have a legal afternoon. We are
17 making our best effort but it is going more slowly.
18
19 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I was going to suggest you aim, I will not
20 say at worst, but at latest to finish your
21 cross-examination by Thursday lunch time. If you can do it
22 before then so much the better then that gives Mr. Rampton
23 some time to re-examine if he wishes. In some ways I have
24 said already that I have not, so far, put limits on you
25 acting for yourself in cross-examination or, for instance,
26 Mr. Rampton in chief or anyone in this case. There is,
27 sometimes, a benefit in the judge interposing a target
28 because it gives you a framework for to you work within.
29 I have to say in your favour that when in the past we have
30 on a number of occasions had witnesses who wanted to go by
31 a certain date time, you have met them. You have sometimes
32 expressed concern as to whether you might have missed
33 something out, but certainly I have not been able to think
34 of a topic which I can see is part of your case from the
35 statements with the pleadings which you omitted to deal
36 with.
37
38 MR. MORRIS: Nothing would please us more to have a spare day
39 this week or something like that, but it is going very
40 slowly.
41
42 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Carry on now. It seems to me that
43 Mr. Rampton can sensibly work on the basis that we will
44 have all Friday for Mr. Bowes.
45
46 MR. RAMPTON: Then I will not postpone him. I will keep him
47 where he is.
48
49 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I would do that. (To the witness): When you
50 are asked a question do not feel constrained to say "yes"
51 or "no" because we want an informative answer, but do not
52 feel that you need to explain everything or that you need
53 to explain an explanation, if I can put it that way.
54 Do yourself justice but concentrate on the specific
55 question. You can always be asked another question either
56 by Ms. Steel or Mr. Morris in cross-examination, or by
57 Mr. Rampton who has an opportunity to question you again
58 when the cross-examination is finished. It is difficult
59 and I am sure irritating to you if one has to step in and
60 say I think that is enough.
