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GAZETTE
sepTemBER
1986
Court Etiquette
Solicitors, practising in the Courts, and in particular,
the District Court, should at all times be conscious of how
their conduct is viewed by the Judge or District Justice
and the public.
While most practitioners have great regard for the
Court, some may from time to time forget the obliga-
tions which attach to their presence in Court.
The following suggestions should therefore be noted
and borne in mind:
Solicitors should dress in clothing suitable (i.e.,
conservative) to the dignity of the Court and of the
proceedings before it.
Generally, on a Solicitor's first appearance in Court,
he/she is introduced by a more senior colleague to
the Court. The Justice welcomes the Solicitor, the
Senior Garda Officer present in the Court joins in
the welcome as does the District Court Clerk. The
Solicitor should of course speak in reply to the words
of welcome.
The Court should always be acknowledged both on
entry and departure, e.g., by standing quietly and to
attention on entry of the Judge or Justice or by
standing quietly and waiting for the Judge or Justice
to leave the bench and Courtroom.
There should be no talking or discussion during the
taking of the Oath by Witnesses.
There should be no reading of newspapers or
smoking in the Courtroom while the Court is in
session.
There should be little or no discussion or talking
either between colleagues or between Solicitors and
the public while the Court is in session, and particu-
larly when the Judge or Justice is delivering a
decision.
When Solicitors enter or leave the Courtroom, they
should do so as quietly as possible so as to minimise
any noise and distraction in doing so.
Solicitors should arrive early in Court, and if possible
make themselves known to the client. If unknown
to the Court, particularly the District Court, one
should identify oneself to the Clerk or District
Justice.
Solicitors should be thoroughly versed in and aware
of the Rules of Evidence, particularly regarding the
nature and content of cross-examination of witnesses.
Solicitors should always be attentive, polite and not
engage in bulllying or aggressive behaviour or cross-
examination during the hearing of cases.
The above suggestions are not intended to be exhaustive
or exclusive, but should help as a guideline to all those
engaged in litigation and Court appearances.
Observance of such procedures serve to enhance the
dignity of the Courts, the image of the profession before
them, and can only serve to assist the judiciary in
reciprocating and being seen to reciprocate the dignity
of the Court and of the Solicitors' profession.
•
Prepared by Paddy Daly, Solicitor, Galway.
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261