Standing In Court

[paul1763]

is it always the case and if so why does the plaintiff stand on the judges left and the defendant on the right? i've always noticed this with all the court t.v programmes

[Buenchico]

The terms you use suggest that you're referring to the County Court (where civil cases are heard), rather than a Magistrates' Court or the Crown Court (where mainly criminal cases are heard). In which case it's usual for all parties to be seated in front of the judge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTCMywJ3lns

[Jackdaw33]

No such thing as a plaintiff anymore. He/she is the 'claimant'.

[paul1763]

Thanks both for your answers

[dance2trance]

the key is what you say 'on TV' or 'film'. Remember in real life our courts are different from USA or French or S African drama productions etc so no reality is ever shown on TV/film. You have to stage the pretend court set so the actors can move and their lighting is good and they can do their make up if the shoot takes too long and the viewer doe not get dizzy turning from the camera turning from this to that and the camera does not have to wander around. It is all make believe. Not real. A dream. In reality in a Magistrate Court the Judge sits with the witness box on his right and that box faces the jury the solicitors face the judge, witnesses are kept away until called for. so if it was on TV to see the action the camera would have to be on the Judge's head or in the witness box. Actors wd hate that because it is their starring role Darling and my agent said I must be seen!