A Morning on the Bench

Earlier this week, I was fortunate to spend the morning at the Oxford Combined Court Centre, sitting alongside a visiting High Court Judge. As High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, I hold a traditional role in supporting the judiciary—but this visit offered something much more immediate: the chance to observe the justice system in action from a privileged seat in the house.

Before court convened, I joined the judge in his chambers. We spoke about the challenges of presiding over complex and often emotionally charged trials. I was struck by his humility and humanity—alongside the clarity and precision demanded of the role. This was a man deeply conscious of the weight of responsibility that comes with the wig and robes.

In court, there was no jury present—it being a pre-hearing session. Instead, I watched as barristers presented preliminary legal arguments and the judge made early preparations to set the framework for what might follow. These moments are rarely seen by the public, but they are vital to ensuring the fairness and structure of proceedings. What might seem like procedural detail is, in fact, the essential groundwork of justice.

It is easy to think of a courtroom as a place of finality—of verdicts and sentences—but in truth it is also a place of careful preparation, of patience, and of constant attention to due process. From the judge to the court clerk, from the prosecution and defence counsel to the ushers who keep everything moving smoothly, every person in that room is part of a larger mechanism committed to fairness.

My formal duties as High Sheriff include an obligation to support His Majesty’s Judges when on circuit. In practice, that means not only welcoming them to Oxfordshire but bearing witness to their service—and showing, through my presence, that their work matters.

I’m grateful to the judge for his kindness in allowing me to sit with him on the bench, and to the excellent court staff for their warm welcome. It was a powerful reminder that justice is not an abstract idea, but a living, breathing endeavour—delivered by people of great skill, guided by principles we should all defend.