It has taken four years to happen, but at long last I am vindicated in my opinion of a very particular judge in England.

Way back when I was a Barrister (trial attorney) in London I was representing a woman in a personal injury case. I arrived at court to meet my client. She was an interesting woman. A tarot reader and psychic, she told me she was confident about the outcome of the case. I got the impression that she had “seen” the outcome, but didn’t probe any further.

As our court time got nearer, it became apparent that the lawyer for the other side was not going to turn up. So I confidently told my client not to worry. We would go in, get the case postponed, and ask that the other side pay our costs of the wasted appearance. I assured her that we would get our costs and that going to see the judge was just a formality.

How wrong I was!

We went in to court and I explained the situation to the judge (a female). I then asked for my costs (as is usual practice) and she refused. I asked for her reasons and she refused to give them to me (contrary to the rules). I then asked for permission to appeal her decision, at which point, the judge began bellowing at me “GET OUT MISS MORRIS, GET OUT”. I tried to ask again, but she continued - “GET OUT OF MY COURT ROOM”. Suddenly I felt like a fourth grader being chastised by my headmistress. I grabbed my books and scurried out of the courtroom feeling mortified.

Once outside, I had to try and explain to my client what had happened, why I had been yelled at and why we didn’t get our costs. It was horribly embarassing having to explain why I had run from the court like a terrified child, instead of standing my ground to fearlessly fight the case.

Well, this morning, I had some great news. That very same judge has been sacked for “inappropriate, petulant and rude” behaviour towards lawyers appearing before her in court. She is the first judge to be sacked in England since 1983. And although I don’t usually take pleasure in other people’s misfortune, I couldn’t help but do a little vindication dance when I heard the news this morning.