154. Lunch with the Judges at the Central Criminal Court

During the year as Master, some surprising invitations arrive! One of these was from Alderman & Sheriff William Russell to join the judges from the Central Criminal Court (more commonly known as the Old Bailey) for lunch.
I readily accepted and earlier this week I joined three other guests for drinks with William Russell and his wife and then lunch (in house) with fifteen Judges who were sitting that day.

The other guests were fascinating. They were Dame Mary Archer (academic and wife of Baron Jeffrey Archer), His Excellency Claus Grube (Ambassador at the Royal Danish Embassy) and Tim Hitchens (career diplomat and CEO of the Commonwealth Summit 2018).

There was much banter over lunch (and strictly no alcohol) and it was great to see the human side of these very senior Judges who all have really interesting lives outside of the law! At precisely 2.00pm the Judges left and we were invited to “listen in “ at one of the Courts. Three of us chose Court 14 which was a pretty harrowing murder trial, but wonderful to see the patience and care with which evidence was presented and cross-examined.

A thoroughly enjoyable opportunity and many thanks to William Russell for the invitation.

Photographs show the invitation & menu card, the iconic statue on the roof of the Old Bailey and the beautiful entrance hall inside.