Letting-ins

Looking in from the outside can be fun for those who think innocence in bliss, but depth is only gained when one is let inside to explore what goes behind the scenes. For most people who look in, law is boring and all about lying; being 'inside' I am in the privileged position to refute that proposition. Nonetheless, although reading judgments and textbooks, speaking to distinguished professors and attending lectures defines my law-student life, I feel I am still a 'looker-in' in many areas. This past week however has been a most interesting week of 'letting-ins' for me.

On Monday, King's had Lord Rodger speak about the recent case of Barker v Corus. In that case, his Lordship delivered a dissenting judgment. That much was clear for those who read the case off the law reports, but what his Lordship revealed was deeper than that found in the judgments. For instance, the way in which insurance companies apportioned compensation among themselves for the disease of asbestosis was significantly different compared to that of mesothelioma, and that explained why that case was viewed with such importance. Parliament's passing of the Compensation Act 2006, in which Section 3 reversed the court's decision, was also more significant than it seemed, in that it applied retroactively to Mrs. Barker. These were facts certainly not to be found in the judgment itself.

On Tuesday, my European Law tutor who had a rough Christmas break, spent the whole hour of class telling us about the Viking Line case, in which he acted as advisor for the defendants. His Christmas became rough when the 2004 European Community Directive on services was adopted on 12th of December last year, and was only published on the 27th of December. That adoption of the Directive would change the course of his client's submissions (which he had prepared in May), and the case was due for hearing before the European Court of Justice on 10th January. Throughout that period he had to communicate with the QC who was on holiday in Cayman Islands, and who was understandably not very keen in modifying the pleadings. I am eagerly waiting for the ECJ's judgment to be delivered.

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of attending a guided tour of the Royal Courts of Justice. Being a law enthusiast, law is magic to me. But the magic has always been intangible. Now having seen where the magic happens will certainly add a new dimension to my reading of law. At the entrace to the RCJ stands a large signboard which reads 'no taking of photographs' - in three different languages as well. Oh well, what could I do, justice had to be served!