On Monday of 3rd week of Hilary term, a group of Mansfield Society members visited the House of Lords and the Privy Council in a trip arranged with the grateful assistance of Lord Rodger of Earlsferry

Heavy snow was not the ideal forecast for a trip to London, but nevertheless, the group impressed staff at the House of Lords by battling through the snow, successfully arriving at the House of Lords on time, no less!  Proceedings were slightly delayed due to the extreme weather conditions, but granted the group the time to be prepped on the case we were about to hear.  The rest of the morning was spent watching the hearing.

Lord Rodger kindly met the group to give further insight into the case after lunch, also providing students with the opportunity to ask questions.  Furthermore, his lordship generously arranged for the unexpected bonus of a trip to the Privy Council for the rest of the afternoon.  This meant that the group saw ten out of the eleven law Lords (and Ladies) ‘in action’, a rather impressive hit rate, considering that the illusive eleventh was Lord Hoffmann, who was to be our Guest of Honour at the Annual Dinner.

It was very interesting to witness first hand the process which leads up to the judgments which we study, and furthermore to see ‘behind the scenes’ at both the House of Lords and Downing Street.  The visit was particularly poignant considering the transfer to the Supreme Court later that year.  We are most grateful to Lord Rodger for providing us with this memorable opportunity.