And they say women take their time getting ready...

What a morning.

Had a bit of a lazy start, as I wasn't due in court until 12pm. I'd just finished my cuppa, brekkie and my meds (asthma & hayfever, before you start...), when the Agency phoned me to ask me to take an emergency application at 9.45am.

I accepted.

Bearing in mind, I was still in my pyjamas, and it was 8.37am when I was called, I managed to shower, brush teeth, brush hair, dress, gather my bits and pieces together, drive 16.4 miles without breaking the speed limit, park the car, walk to the court house, get through security, and find a quiet spot to take telephone instructions by 9.26am.

Not bad.

Plus, I "won".

If this kind of dedication isn't worthy of a pupillage, then I don't know what is.

Overseas Aid - another view

The news of cuts at local and national Government level has sparked a flurry of comments on my Twitter and Facebook timelines, mostly along the lines that if we are making so many cuts here, why the hell are we sending money abroad?

On the face of it, there appears to be no logic. Old people suffering, kids being brought up in homes that can only look up to the poverty line, it does seem stupid to help those in need elsewhere.

However, most of these people also support closing our borders.

International Aid is a fraction of Government spending. If that Aid can be used to make conditions better in a person's own country, then surely that negates the need for that person to up sticks and move to the UK.

Which would cost the UK taxpayer more, wouldn't it?

Food for thought...

You're watching Sky Courts News

"Good morning, it's set to be a busy day ahead. Don't forget our County Court round up on the half hour, and you can keep up to date with the latest fixtures and results on the InfoBar. 

Coming up, we've the news in the big murder trial in Portsmouth, but first, we have some breaking news from Derby Crown Court; let's go over to our reporter".

"Yes, extraordinary happenings here this morning in the case of the Crown versus Whiley. Mr Whiley has been charged with a number of offences, and had indicated at the preliminary hearing he would be entering a 'Not Guilty' plea at today's Plea and Case Management Hearing. 

However, when arraigned, Mr Whiley shocked the Court by entering 'Guilty' pleas to all charges. That includes the serious charge of perverting the course of justice".

"Unbelievable. So what's next?"

"Well, the case has been postponed for the preparation of pre-sentence reports, and Mr Whiley will be sentenced in three weeks time, here at Derby Crown Crown, where our cameras will be live to show you the events as they unfold."

"Thanks for that update.

We are hearing that the start of the big murder trial in Portsmouth has been delayed. We can go live to our reporter in Portsmouth for the latest".

"Yes, the start here has been delayed by an application being heard in Chambers, but this trial should be due to start within the next thirty minutes or so. Don't forget, it's live on Sky Courts 1 and Sky Courts 1HD.

With that, it's back to the studio".

"Thanks for that update, and as you heard, it's our featured trial on our Sky Courts 1 channels. You can also see the continuing burglary trial in Newcastle Crown Court on Sky Courts 2, whilst Sky Courts 3 will be showing you events as they unfold from Court No 3 in Leicester.

Coming up after the break, our new "Briefs, Close and Personal" series continues with a barrister who will surprise you with his after court activities. Stay tuned to Sky Courts News, your number one source for Open Justice in Britain".