Day 261 - 12 Jun 96 - Page 45


     
     1
     2   MS. STEEL:   It is not a particularly personal question.  I was
     3        not going to go any further than that.
     4
     5   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  They should not have to speak about
     6        themselves at all, unless it bites on an issue.  So,
     7        I suggest you take the course of carrying on with your
     8        cross-examination, and then I can better see, if there is
     9        an argument, whether it might bite on an issue or not.
    10
    11   MS. STEEL:  It is my view that in pre-trial hearings, the
    12        Plaintiffs tried to malign our characters and mislead the
    13        court.  That is the point I am on.
    14
    15   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  If there is an argument about it, I will
    16        rule.  But there is no reason why you should not continue
    17        your cross-examination, as, indeed, a moment ago, you
    18        indicated you were prepared to do.
    19
    20   MS. STEEL:   Yes.
    21
    22   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Then I can better decide the matter if there
    23        is an issue.
    24
    25   MS. STEEL:   (To the witness)  When were you first aware that
    26        you would be going to give evidence?
    27        A.  I think possibly two, three years ago, something like
    28        that.
    29
    30   Q.   That was the first time you had been asked anything about
    31        giving evidence?
    32        A.  Yes.
    33
    34   Q.   That was shortly before you made your first statement,
    35        presumably?
    36        A.  Yes, it would have been.
    37
    38   Q.   The statement that you have averred, the first statement
    39        that we have of yours, that was the first statement you
    40        made in this case; you did not make one prior to that?
    41        A.  I am not sure which statement you are referring to.
    42
    43   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  The one you made some corrections to.
    44
    45   MS. STEEL:   Yes.
    46        A.  As far as I remember, yes, that was the first actual
    47        statement, as far as I recall.
    48
    49   Q.   The statement was basically written by the solicitors from
    50        the notes, and you corrected it before you signed it? 
    51        A.  Yes. 
    52 
    53   Q.   Was that the case with the other statements, as well?
    54        A.  The statements were compiled by -- well, by whoever.
    55        I am not sure who actually compiled them; I presume, the
    56        solicitors; and I read through the statements and made any
    57        corrections I felt necessary.
    58
    59   MR. MORRIS:  The corrections you made were the ones that appear
    60        handwritten?

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