I’ve been to court! And not before time, I hear some of you say. Well, let me tell you that I wasn’t summoned or dragged, kicking and struggling; I went of my own free will! And what an enjoyable and fascinating experience it was. Let me explain. I had a gripe about certain goings-on on the Forest and despite having a word with those who I thought might be able to sort things out but who were, in fact, unable to intervene or just didn’t want to, I was advised to take my complaint to the Verderers Court and to make what is known as a presentment.
So there I was, on the third Wednesday in January at 10.00 am, sitting on an ancient wooden bench, similar to a church pew, in an amazing, oak-panelled room with a part-flagged, part-tiled floor. In front of me and across the full width of the room is a raised bench; to one side of which and within easy reach of the public gallery is a rough hewn, elevated dock with access steps. The walls are bedecked with nostalgic and historical paraphernalia including the famed Rufus’s Stirrup, a list of past and present Official Verderers together with a similar list of Deputy Surveyors of the New Forest and several mounted heads of deer, a reminder of the Forests original role as a Royal hunting ground.
Behind me the massive wooden door that provides access from Lyndhurst High Street opens and closes as more and more people file in and steadily fill the benches behind me and those against the walls. There is an air of bonhomie about the place as old friends meet up and chat about Forest topics and business. Then, without any pomp or ceremony the Verderers file into the room and take their places on the aforementioned raised bench. In the centre sits the Official Verderer who is the Chairman of the Court and appointed by His Majesty the King and on either side of him are five Verderers who have been elected by Commoners together four appointed Verderers one each from DEFRA, the National Park Authority, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.
The Head Agister, resplendent in his official attire, climbs into the dock and with a traditional, raised right hand and an ‘Oyez, Oyez, Oyez’ announces that the court is open. The Official Verderer opens the session by advising the court of the outcome, to date, of the various issues that were brought before the court during previous sittings, together with any approvals that may have been decreed. The Clerk of the Court follows with a report on road traffic accidents involving commoners stock and details the numbers of motorists who were caught on camera and duly fined by Hampshire Constabulary during the preceding month.
And then follow the presentments which can be made by any member of the public, usually commoners, about any issue that they feel should be brought to the courts attention. The court will receive presentments from any person provided that such presentments are: “(1) relevant to some aspect of the New Forest or its management and (2) brief and (3) phrased in moderate language!”
Each person making a presentment stands in the dock and reads his statement to the court after which a copy is given to the Clerk to be included in the minutes of the session. Once all the presentments have been made the Head Agister declares the court closed; at which point the public disperse and the Verderers retire to discuss the matters raised.
All in all it was an informative experience and reassuring to know that this court, which has been in existence since the 13th Century, is still here to look out for the interests of this beautiful Forest of ours.
Must go, before I’m courting trouble!
Ian Thew
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