19 MARCH 1977, Page 18

Lord Goddard

Sir: Mr Waugh's description of Lord Goddard as 'a cruel and beastly man' (5 March) will surprise not only those of us who used to appear before him at Bar, but also some at least of those who appeared before him in the dock.

I was at one time a prison visitor, and one topic of conversation was the various judges before whom the prisoners I visited had appeared. My recollection of their view of Lord Goddard was that they had 'a fair crack of the whip,' in other words, he was severe, but fair.

My recollection of the case of Bevan v. The Spectator is that those who directed your periodical at the time committed the almost incredible folly of trying to settle the case behind the backs of their solicitors without taking the precaution of seeing that it was understood that the communications were 'without prejudice' (that is to say, without prejudice to the legal rights of the parties). Lord Goddard was not one to suffer fools gladly, and I am not surprised if they were roughly handled. If, however, the summing-up was such as Mr Waugh alleges the injured parties would have had their remedy on appeal.

I would add that I am not a member of the Garrick Club and that my personal acquaintance with Lord Goddard was of the slightest.

Lawrence Travers Savage Club, 9 Fitzmaurice Place, London W1