"LOYALTIES " AND LEGAL ETIQUETTE. [To THE EDITOR or THE
" SPECTATOE."1 SIR,—Sir Malcolm Mcllwraith's letter in your last issue containing a reference to the famous Osborne pearl trial Is interesting, but as nothing is known of the circum- stances preceding the retirement from the ease of Sir Charles Russell and his juniors, this cannot be properly quoted as a precedent for the action taken by the lawyers in Galsworthy'a play of Loyalties. Indeed, Sir Malcolm Mcllwraith practically admits as much. Might I venture to ask him for his opinion on the following question? " Are there any circumstances under which counsel is justified in publicly retiring from a case and publicly disclosing facts learnt by him in the course of his conduct of the case, and therefore under the seal of professional secrecy, without any intimation whatever to his client? " My own view is that no circumstances can justify this, and that is why I have ventured to indulge in some mild criticism of the play. But the opinion of a highly respected member of the higher branch of the pro- fession would be instructive.—I am, Sir, &c., CLIFFORD'S INN.
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