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PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE.
A few days ago a case was heard in tlio |
'Ceunty Court, before Judge Polilman, which
excited some interest amongst tho profession,
net for its intrinsic worth, nut as it involved
some professional etiquette. The faefs aro
simply these : — A gentleman named Mansell
brought an action against Mr. Theodore
Hancock, solicitor, for £1S, for work and
labor dono as an accountant; £8 13 1. was
paid into court by dofendant, but his 'Honor
having reviewed tho case, the particulars of
which havo been already published, gave a
verdict for £5 additional, with £5 14s.
'fid. costs. On the following _ day Mr.
"George Patou Smith called his Honor's
attention to tho fact that no solicitor
had been employed by tho plaintiff in tho
matter. Plaintiff requested him to conduct
the case, but he refused -without the inter
vention of a solicitor. Mr. Mansell
afterwards sought tho services of Mr.
M. G. Byrne, and presented to that
.geutleman a memo, signed by a clerk of Mr.
Dickson, solicitor, stating that he (Dickson)
was absent from his office on business, and
no aia nos Know wueu uu wuuiu I - , uma i
leading Mr. Byrne to suppose that Mr. Diclc-
son was employed in Ihe case. Mr. Byrne I
took tho brief aud won the case. Judge
Pohlraan suggested that a summons should I
ibo taken out to show cause why the costs 1
should not bo roduocd. Thi3 suggestion was
acted upon, aud made returnable in ohambcrs I
this morning. Mr. Dickson appeared for
Mr.jMansell, and stated that some weeks ago 1
he had been consulted by him, and he advised
.him to bring this actionm tho County Court, j
He heard nothing moro of tlio matter
until tho morning of tho trial, when the
plaintiff asked him to instruct counsel. This
application ho refused, unless counsel's fees
wore handed to him. Mansell left, obtained
ithe money, and having complied, as ho
thought, with Mr. Dickson's instructions,
handed tho brief direct to Mr. Byrne. Now
he (Mr. Dickson), was quite willing to forego
his costs if tho defendant would simply pay
Mr. Mansell's costs out ol pocket. His
Honor said ho was quite certain Mr. Dickson
would not act iu an unprofessional manner.
Ho did not approve of counsel taking briefs
without tho intervention of a solicitor, hut
at tho Bame time, if they wished to do so,
there was nothing to provont them. In this
ease ho thought that there was a misappre
hension on the part of Mr. Mansell, aiul; as
suggested, by Mr. Dickson, .would reduco;the
costs to £3 78. Cd.
$