Files
Details
Title
Rumpole's Ethics
Variant Title
Rumpole's Ethics
Author
Bergman, Paul (UCLA School of Law)
Date
2012-04
Keywords
Content Type
Essay
Record Created
2019-11-26
Record ID
1125022
Other Identifiers
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15779/Z38V92W
Published in
Berkeley Journal of Entertainment and Sports Law
Volume
1
Issue
2
Note
* Professor of Law Emeritus, UCLA. Along with Professor Michael Asimow, Professor Bergman is the author of REEL JUSTICE: THE COURTROOM GOES TO THE MOVIES (2d ed. 2006). Like Rumpole, Professor Bergman regularly has to explain his way out of ill-advised sardonic comments. Rumpole whispered many of his embarrassing witticisms to interns or solicitors in mid-trial, only to be overheard by a suddenly sharp-eared judge. For example, in an episode called Rumpole of the Bailey: The Old, Old Story (ITV television broadcast Jan. 19, 1987), the dotty trial judge takes over the questioning of a prosecution witness. Rumpole whispers to his client's solicitor that the judge is suffering from a bad case of premature adjudication. The judge cups his ear and asks, did you say something Rumpole? Rumpole hastily explains, I said there will be a full explanation, Your Lordship.