Clerks rage against Rolls Building lift ‘nightmare’
Clerks across the bar are up in arms over the number of lifts in the new Rolls Building, citing severe delays to hearings.
Concerns have been raised that, as most cases require large amounts of paperwork, having only three public lifts could result in delayed starting times, in turn resulting in extra costs for all court users.
“They’re trying to make all documents go online so it’s easier for everyone,” said one clerk. “But the reality is that in some cases disclosure can involve trolleyloads of files and somebody has to take that to the court. It’ll be a nightmare.”
20 Essex Street senior clerk Brian Lee said: “It’s not been well thought out and it’s a recipe for disaster. There’ll be a huge bottleneck as everyone waits for the lift.”
However, Tim Pollen, co-chair of the business managers’ group overseeing the move into the building, insisted that there was no need for panic.
“There are three public lifts designed with the footfall of the current court in mind,” he said. “It’s a concern that’s been raised, but let’s get in the building first and then see if it’s an issue.”
The Rolls Building is due to open in October.
Readers' comments (10)
Thor | 7-Feb-2011 10:31 am
"It’s a recipe for disaster." Get a sense of perspective. I doubt that the busy lift disaster of 2011 will be remembered.
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Anonymous | 7-Feb-2011 2:05 pm
I think the clerks should be equipped with rockets attached to their back, just like 007 in the opening sequence of "Thunderball".
Problem sorted.
Make it happen.
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Walker | 7-Feb-2011 9:19 pm
get there earlier and walk l
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Anonymous | 8-Feb-2011 6:20 am
Clerks should be 'seen and not heard' and instead made to use the stairs. They are paid far too much in any event and should be thankful that they are not tossing oranges for a living, a career which most clerks are obviously accustomed.
Appalling to hear the views of clerks in a publication designated for lawyers!
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Nicholas Davidson | 8-Feb-2011 10:06 am
This is a familiar problem to users of the Thomas More Building and St Dunstan's, and it will be a remarkable failure if the problem from those buildings has been built in to the Rolls Building. But if it has, then the situation could be much improved if court sitting times were slightly staggered.
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Anonymous | 8-Feb-2011 11:08 am
Staggered start times would be an ideal solution to an age old problem.
To Anonymous | 8-Feb-2011 6:20 am, if you think I am walking up the stair with ten lever arch files then you must think me a monkey.
Your comments are offensive to the clerking profession and to say we shouldn't be catered for by publications like The Lawyer is bl*&dy rude.
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Bogus Dude | 8-Feb-2011 11:32 am
@Anonymous 11.08am - looks like you fell hook, line and sinker for the provocation (it's a wind up)........which, as you didn't spot that, perhaps may mean that @Anonymous 6.20am, is not so wrong after all. Although, personally, all the clerks I've met have been more switched on than most of the barristers (who in turn treat the clerks like cr*p.) But, if you must be butlers to the legal upper class....expect to be treated that way....
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Anonymous | 8-Feb-2011 4:52 pm
I was not under the impression that clerking was a profession, more a subservient pastime. As I said before, it's become an appalling state of affairs when clerks are given a voice in the legal press. Clerks should stick to what they are good at namely, racing their heavily tarted up XR3s around the streets of Romford rather than criticizing the lift situation at the Rolls Building. Freedom of speech for all (except clerks). It is the way to go.
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Brian Lee | 9-Feb-2011 9:24 am
Asked for a quote in usual way, Rage on my part, what do you think. Sense of perspective required by all who have found time to comment
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Anonymous | 10-Feb-2011 12:08 pm
Can't wait to see Brian queuing up with a trolley at the lifts in the new Rolls Building.
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