Day 267 - 21 Jun 96 - Page 04
1 Wednesday clear as matters presently stand, but that is
2 very late Wednesday evening, for example, to serve a
3 skeleton argument.
4
5 MR. JUSTICE BELL: The position is there are a number of things
6 happening quite quickly at the moment and, in those
7 circumstances, we have just got to take it step by step.
8 The two steps are these, that when we get to the end of
9 today we will know whether we have finished Mr. Claire or
10 have some idea of how much longer he is going to go if you
11 have not finished him. We will be able to see what Monday
12 looks like. We have got to break off a bit early on Monday
13 because of Mr. Morris' appointment, or I am prepared,
14 rather, to break off a bit early because of Mr. Morris'
15 appointment. I think Professor Crawford must come anyway
16 on Tuesday morning, and if there is a problem there we will
17 deal with that as and when it arises.
18
19 MR. RAMPTON: Yes. I thought it right to mention now what the
20 sort of problems might be.
21
22 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes.
23
24 MR. MORRIS: Can I just say about the court references?
25
26 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes.
27
28 MR. MORRIS: We are quite happy not to rely on any references
29 that the other party does not have.
30
31 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I think that is impracticable because once
32 Mr. Crawford is in the witness box, if he has a reference
33 in mind, my experience is it is totally artificial and,
34 having seen Professor Crawford -- this is not any jibe at
35 him -- he does have a deal of information at his fingertips
36 and what is going to happen is there will be a reference to
37 it, whether you lead it or not, and then Mr. Rampton will
38 not have had a copy and been able to ask his experts about
39 it.
40
41 So, I do not think one can put a wall around it and say
42 "You will not refer to that".
43
44 MR. MORRIS: Right. But we will not need to rely on anything
45 that he brings up.
46
47 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Professor Crawford might, you see.
48
49 MR. MORRIS: I am just trying to be helpful. I am saying if it
50 saves time and effort -----
51
52 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I am grateful for your attempt to be
53 helpful. I think the practicalities are that it may very
54 well be mentioned by Professor Crawford and as long as
55 there is any risk of that happening ---
56
57 MR. MORRIS: Right.
58
59 MR. JUSTICE BELL: -- then -----
60
