An illuminating evening
Ravi Perera
Johannes Voet (1647-1713) the famous lawyer from the Netherlands,
among other things, is credited with adopting many of the primary Roman
legal principles and concepts to suit his times.
The illustrious jurist's well-earned fame long outlived the man, not
only in Holland but also in countries with legal systems that have been
enriched by his work. Going by the annual homage our legal fraternity
pays the great jurist, Sri Lanka is also not without its share of acute
connoisseurs of fine legal thinking.
The event oddly is called Voet lights. A more self-conscious
profession would have gone for something like Voet devotees or even Voet
wanna-be's. But here they will have none if not 'lights', in other
words, points of illumination.
Predictably, the function starts with cocktails during which there is
perfect harmony at the bar. Dimly lit, the function area is ideal for
consultations in which the parties wish to remain anonymous. Since
everybody is in dark suits, the solemn uniform of the lawyers, it will
be virtually impossible to conduct an identification parade post facto
to charge those present. The target for the day, obviously, is to drink
the bar dry.
Voet, would be verily excited by the bevy of female admires he has
acquired in this little island in the Indian Ocean. Draped in shimmering
saris these gentle devotees of the great Hollander glide delicately
through the throng, with an air of susceptibility, evoking the most
protective instincts in the stout hearts of their male counterparts. The
men keep a concerned eye on the present day Portias but are not overly
distracted from the mission of consuming all the good stuff so freely
flowing.
As the evening progresses the intellectual quality of the
conversation assumes truly Voetian proportions. Hardly anybody notices
the valiant efforts of the chamber orchestra. Opinions, usually an
expensive commodity in this milieu, flow thick and furious. Judging from
the raucous laughter emanating from the many circles of lawyers on the
floor there are some outstanding wits present. The celebrations proceed
smoothly, with drinks, eats and reputations demolished with abandon.
When the drinks become increasingly hard to find and all the 'bites'
consumed, the gong announces dinner, which almost creates a stampede.
This is no dignified ceremonial sitting.
These legal eagles are acquainted with life in this island too well
to chance an orderly entry to the dinning hall. In the hurly-burly of
Hulftsdorp the early bird catches the worm.
Why should it be different tonight ?
The legal eagles move noisily towards the banquet hall obviously
anticipating the impending meal with relish. Menu cards placed stylishly
on the tables promise a repast worthy of august epicureans. Cutlery,
neatly arranged, warns of a structured meal.
The first-timers excitedly sit down to what they expect to be a
memorable repast made up of tastefully selected food, good wine,
entertaining conversation and scintillating speeches. The old hands too
jaded to worry about such trivialities, busy themselves analyzing the
relative merits of Voet of Holland and Johnny Walker from Scotland.
Having waited impatiently for the meal to begin, the busy
practitioners of the law attack the food with an appreciative violence,
which would surely warm the heart of the over worked and under
appreciated chef.
Some activist types who have been complaining about law's delays set
an example of not sitting on ceremony by using their soup bowls like a
teacup, consuming the warm broth in record time.
The fierce use of the fork, so like a decisive counter punch to the
slow-witted police prosecutor in the magistrate's court, gives flight to
the well-baked button potatoes and pieces of chicken, which sometimes
land in the whisky of their neighbours.
The deafening clatter emanating from the tables drowns the feeble
efforts of the Scribe to bring order to the unruly proceedings.
Those who with great effort and concentration manage to catch the
words of the speakers realise that a lot of off-colour things are being
said about the more successful in the profession.
This is not a place for brilliant word play or subtle innuendo, the
things associated with gatherings of the legal fraternity in other
places. But then, we have always prided ourselves on being different.
Yes, we have devotees who annually pay tribute to Voet. Never mind
what Voet would have thought of his following in this distant tropical
island. |