Diabetic barrister barred from court because of can of drink
A diabetic barrister said today he was refused entry to court because of a can of drink.
Max Schofield, a tax barrister at 3PB chambers, tweeted: “I am currently being refused entry to Milton Keynes County Court because I have a 150ml can of drink which I keep in my bag as a diabetic just in case of hypoglycaemia.”
He said security guards refused to follow guidance provided by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) which said unopened drinks in cartons and cans were permitted in court.
Schofield said he wrote a letter to the judge explaining why he was being refused entry and asked the security guards to take it to him.
Read more: Freshfields partner accused of slapping DJ in argument over music
“After 25 minutes and a second [far more vigorous] search where they removed everything from my bag and tried to take my medicine, I have finally been allowed in,” he said.
Chief executive of HMCTS Susan Acland-Hood tweeted: “Max – I am sorry about this – staff should of course be following the guidelines and we will look into what has happened here urgently.”
Barristers have regularly complained of officious security guards refusing them entry to court or confiscating seemingly innocuous items on security grounds.
Read more: FCA’s guidelines are undervaluing consumers’ PPI claims by billions
Last week pupil barrister at Red Lion Chambers Danielle Manson tweeted of her “total humiliation” at Milton Keynes Magistrates Court when she was “forced to remove sanitary products from my bag by security in full view of members of the public and my client. Even after explaining I was a barrister and there for a case!”
In response to a string of complaints the Bar Council and HMCTS launched a smartphone identification pilot for barristers in September to allow them to enter court buildings without going through airport-style security, however at present it only applies to five courts.