Day 102 - 13 Mar 95 - Page 64


     
     1   MS. STEEL:  Yes.
     2
     3   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Did you actually ask to speak to the doctor?
     4
     5   MS. STEEL:  I do not know who I spoke to.  It was whoever was
     6        arranging the appointments.
     7
     8   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  If you are arranging medical appointments in
     9        the future I would be grateful if you would try to speak to
    10        the doctor.  If you have this kind of difficulty I would be
    11        very grateful if you would let me know so that I can speak
    12        to the doctor or get someone in authority to speak to the
    13        doctor.  It may be he will not be able to help, but it is
    14        surprising how often they are able to help if they realise
    15        the cost and public money involved if court time is lost,
    16        even in a very long case.
    17
    18   MS. STEEL:   I was hoping that we would be finished in time for
    19        me to go.
    20
    21   MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, it is not just court time, I know that is
    22        important, I am not diminishing that in any way at all, but
    23        there is the convenience of witnesses.  Dr. Pattison cannot
    24        be here on Wednesday.  He has been cross-examined now for
    25        four days.  He has been in the witness box for four days.
    26        Mr. Don Bennett to accommodate the Defendants and your
    27        Lordship's wishes has re-arranged his whole schedule so
    28        that he should be here on Wednesday.  It is, in my
    29        respectful submission, quite intolerable that Ms. Steel
    30        should not seek a medical appointment, let us say, in the
    31        first three days of next week when there will be no
    32        evidence at all.
    33
    34   MS. STEEL:  If Mr. Rampton wants to know what I was told was
    35        I would not get an appointment this year unless I take this
    36        cancellation.
    37
    38   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  In that case I would like you to give the
    39        doctor's telephone number to Mr. Stiles so Mr. Stiles can
    40        telephone him. I will come back at a quarter to five when
    41        that has been done.
    42
    43   MS. STEEL:  I have not got the telephone number on me.
    44
    45   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Give Mr. Stiles the name and address.
    46        Mr. Stiles will find it and give him a telephone call. This
    47        is not to put you under pressure and I am not blaming you
    48        for it, but it is a difficult situation.  Mr. Stiles'
    49        telephone call will be perfectly pleasant.  He will explain
    50        the situation and he will see whether there is any 
    51        reasonable alternative which can be achieved.  I will come 
    52        back quarter to five. 
    53
    54                       (Short Adjournment).
    55
    56   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I think Mr. Stiles has told you what he
    57        discovered on the telephone?
    58
    59   MS. STEEL:  Yes.
    60

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