Drinking judges

Old Bailey lunchtime tipple endedThe Old Bailey has brought to an end a 430-year-old tradition of serving wine to judges at lunchtime. Officials at the City of London stressed the move was a cost-cutting measure rather than a reflection on judges’ drinking habits. One long-serving Old Bailey barrister called the decision depressing: “A long, boring case with counsel droning on about obscure points of law will seem intolerable without the prospect of a couple of quick glasses to relieve the gloom. Better to deal with a contented and even-tempered judge than one in a foul mood.