IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE…being seen to be done, The Reporter attended Court 8 at The Court of Session along with all the other people, either involved or simply observing, who were in the courtroom from about 10 o’clock on 28 April 2010
The timeline was something like this…
10.02 there was a huddle of lawyers on the right hand side of the court from the SNP.
2 reporters sitting in what is usually the jury bench
10.04 Feels like ages now that we have been here.
Solicitors acting for the BBC arrive with their boxes of papers and massive folders. Everyone on their phones and Blackberries.
All ready but no judge yet. Her clerk comes in to set up her books and papers on the bench. He remembers to insert the rest for her back on the big chair.
10.15 Counsel for the BBC arrives. The Clerk takes the suitcase that he was carrying all the books and paraphernalia in, out through the side door. Presume he has gone to get the judge?
10.19 Still waiting. Most people out of the room at the moment. Papers everywhere.
10.23 Clerk tells us that the court will start at 10.30. (Maybe he could have mentioned that before…)
10.26 Nicola Sturgeon comes in. At least she is wearing pink. Everyone else is wearing black. And she is wearing make up. All the BBC girls have no make up on! She is a dot of pink among the black. One wonders how this is only costing £50,000. There are so many people on the SNP benches…and about 50 people in the courtroom.
10.33 We are told five minutes….
