Legal Circus
The Scotsman had an interesting article the other day - on the trial of two men who are accused of conspiring to kill the Celtic manager - Neil Lennon.
Trevor Muirhead (43) and Neil McKenzie (42) - both from Ayrshire - are accused of plotting to kill Neil Lennon, former MSP Trish Godman and Paul McBride QC.
Both men are represented by the most expensive Scottish Advocates that money can buy - Donald Findlay QC and Gordon Jackson QC - which is all paid for on legal aid of course.
But in court during the week one of the accused - Neil McKenzie - through his Advocate Donald Findlay QC - announced that he wanted a different solicitor to represent him in the case.
Mr Findlay told the court the news and said:
“Mr McCluskey (the current lawyer) has legal aid and no instructions, and Mr Berlow (the new lawyer) has instructions and no legal aid. I am merely Pontius Pilate at the moment.
Stretching the biblical analogy a tad far, if I’m Pontius Pilate, then my lord is Solomon.”
The Scotsman reported that Lord Glennie (the judge) asked McKenzie whom he wanted to represent him, and the accused replied: “Mr Berlow.”
So the whole business was continued until next week to sort out the legal aid situation - which of course means a huge waste of public money.
Now I'm all in favour of people receiving a fair trial - but in this case the court is in danger of being turned into a legal circus.
And while it's on my mind why do the defendants have the right to be represented - by such expensive lawyers and advocates?
Justice should always be 'seen to be done' - but that doesn't mean allowing people to make a mockery - of Scotland's criminal justice system.
Trevor Muirhead (43) and Neil McKenzie (42) - both from Ayrshire - are accused of plotting to kill Neil Lennon, former MSP Trish Godman and Paul McBride QC.
Both men are represented by the most expensive Scottish Advocates that money can buy - Donald Findlay QC and Gordon Jackson QC - which is all paid for on legal aid of course.
But in court during the week one of the accused - Neil McKenzie - through his Advocate Donald Findlay QC - announced that he wanted a different solicitor to represent him in the case.
Mr Findlay told the court the news and said:
“Mr McCluskey (the current lawyer) has legal aid and no instructions, and Mr Berlow (the new lawyer) has instructions and no legal aid. I am merely Pontius Pilate at the moment.
Stretching the biblical analogy a tad far, if I’m Pontius Pilate, then my lord is Solomon.”
The Scotsman reported that Lord Glennie (the judge) asked McKenzie whom he wanted to represent him, and the accused replied: “Mr Berlow.”
So the whole business was continued until next week to sort out the legal aid situation - which of course means a huge waste of public money.
Now I'm all in favour of people receiving a fair trial - but in this case the court is in danger of being turned into a legal circus.
And while it's on my mind why do the defendants have the right to be represented - by such expensive lawyers and advocates?
Justice should always be 'seen to be done' - but that doesn't mean allowing people to make a mockery - of Scotland's criminal justice system.
