Day in the life
Lady Justice King is the latest judge in a series of promotional videos
I’m sharing here a video in which Lady Justice King talks about her career and background. It’s the latest in a new series of short behind-the-scenes promotional interviews produced by the judiciary of England and Wales.
I think the purpose of these films must be to demystify the judiciary and encourage people towards a career on the bench, especially those from non-traditional backgrounds. It’s not journalism — the producers have total control over what appears on the screen — but it’s not meant to replace journalism either: judges still give interviews from time to time.
Production values are higher than we have seen in a previous series of videos. King was interviewed in her room at the Royal Courts of Justice and also in a nearby location now called the Painted Room, adjacent to an open area which some of us still remember as the Bear Garden.
There is no commentary and we do not hear or see the interviewer. It’s all a bit soft-focus: the interviews are intercut with slow-motion footage of King and three male colleagues at the law courts. They are not wearing their court robes; instead, they must be heading off to some unidentified ceremonial occasion such as the state opening of parliament. From time to time we hear what the sub-titles (which are impossible to turn off) describe as a “reflective melody”.
But I don’t want to sound too critical: King is a wise judge and her warm personality shines through. As she says — although the sub-title reflects a minor mishearing — she “started as a country mouse, brought up in Yorkshire with no lawyers around her”. However, she came from a professional background: her mother was a consultant pathologist, which was pretty unusual for a woman in those days.
King also offers good advice about not becoming a judge too early in one’s career (although without an early start you are less likely to get to the very top). I hope the video will encourage others to follow in her footsteps.
I admire the judge’s humility, gratitude, humanity and the complete absence of pomposity. She came across as a reflective and wise woman in whose hands one’s business would be safe.
Perhaps because I am old enough to have been in practice on the North Eastern Circuit with King LJ and knew her as a delightful and eminently approachable person, I found the video interesting and worthwhile a view. I do agree with Joshua and Malcolm about 'the reflective melody' and wonder whether the 'soft focus' is overdone? However, unlike a journalistic interview the video is aimed at a different audience - one that perhaps may never see inside a court, let alone meet a real-life judge. I like that it reflects the growing diversity of the bench.