Tunnel Vision
Last week we considered something of the history of the Privy Council as a judicial body. What of the building in Downing Street in which it presently sits, before being relocated along with the House of Lords as the Lords becomes Supreme Court?
Sir John Soane is the architect of the chamber in which the Privy Council presently hears cases. I have been to the Privy Council four times, but since it will move to the new Supreme Court building in 2009 it may be that I will not be appearing in the Downing Street chamber again.
Those who are not familiar with architectural history may still recognise the name of Sir John Soane. His house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields attracts torrents of visitors. I have always wanted to visit, but have never had the time to queue. This is an omission I hope to rectify before long. He is the architect responsible for the dining rooms in No 10 and No 11 Downing Street. Various other buildings of his have been destroyed, including the Law Courts beside the Palace of Westminster. On any view he is a distinguished architect of international renown.
Ptolemy Dean in his book Sir John Soane and London (his second on the topic of this architect, the previous one dealing with the Country Estate) deals with some of the issues which arose when Soane was working on the Privy Council building. As Dean is an architect specialising in, amongst other things, the repair of historic buildings, and is also the son of a Judge, he would seem as well placed as anyone to have embarked upon such a topic. The book (and the building) pays tribute to Soane’s architectural talent. It is odd to think that visitors to judicial hearings sit on Sir John's original chairs. Although many of the features of the building have changed, those who are best placed to judge such things pay tribute to a number of stunning architectural features and the various ways in which, despite changes, much of the spirit of Sir John's original design remains. (For a somewhat contrary view, the popular novelist of yesteryear John Buchan regarded the premises as "shabby" and not fitted for being the ultimate imperial court).
So, as someone who wants to visit Sir John's Lincoln's Inn house, what did I make of some of the noted architectural features of the Downing Street building?v
Unfortunately, absolutely nothing. I have a recollection of a grand chamber, and of the entrance to it, but beyond that nothing. You wait outside the chamber to be summonsed in, once their Lordships are already seated, and then at the conclusion of the case you leave the chamber whilst they deliberate briefly before leaving. (You can retrieve your papers subsequently). I have found that during the case you are too wrapped up in thinking what you're about to say, or what your opponent might say, or how you counter a thrust from your opponent or their Lordships, to concentrate on the architectural features. When the case is finished, other than thinking about what the result might be, you are usually beyond thinking about the scenery.
Other advocates reading this will recognise the phenomenon entirely. You are completely gripped by the case you are arguing. No different to a horse with blinkers, in the course of the case a barrister usually has complete tunnel vision.