The Clapham Omnibus
In the previous post on the Supreme Court, I mentioned the Clapham Omnibus , and particularly the mythical man who rides it.
So who was he? Wikipedia provides an answer. Australia even has a version – “The man on the Bondi tram”.
My wife was a barrister and I don’t know whether she used the phrase in Court, but she certainly used it in real life!
The New Supreme Court
I’m not sure about the Supreme Court – Well, the building that is, even if I’m absolutely sure that we need a Court to as many lawyers have put it over the years, “Stand up for the man on the Clapham omnibus”.
An article by the eminent lawyer, Ken MacDonald, in The Times sums the Court all up very well. It looks like though they are setting out their message from this paragraph.
Now at the apex of this system of law stands the Supreme Court, open for business this morning. With deliberate symbolism, the new Justices have chosen their first case to test the limits on a government’s right to make law by executive order. The message is clear: this will be a Constitutional Court and it will take to power with ease.
I will be watching the progress of the Court with interest.
The Anonymous Widower 