James Morton’s anecdotes on the evergreen topic of court dress code have provoked a few recollections of judicial observations.

Peter Benner of Houseman Benner, Haywards Heath, writes with recollections of an occasion in the county court in the 1960s: ‘The partner for whom I then worked had only attended court infrequently but was not a favourite of the resident judge. ‘He suddenly found that, due to absence of others elsewhere (possibly me), he had to make an urgent application on a summer's day when he was wearing what we referred to as his "Ice-Cream Vendor’s" linen jacket and a soft shirt, over which he hastily threw a gown.

‘On his case being called he immediately apologised for his improper attire, to which the judge responded "that’s all right, Mr... at least your shirt seems to be clean"!’