approach the bench

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approach the bench

v. an attorney's movement from the counsel table to the front of the bench (the large desk at which the judge sits) in order to speak to the judge off the record and/or out of earshot of the jury. Since the bench area is the sacred territory of the judge the attorney must ask permission as "may I approach the bench," or simply, "may I approach." If the judge consents, then opposing counsel must be allowed to come forward and participate in the conversation. The purpose can range from explaining the order of witnesses, a technical problem or the need to take a recess to go to the restroom.

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After what seemed like hours, I approach the bench, only to be told that as my name is not on the bank book, they can't take the money (when have you ever heard of a bank that will not take the money?

A place you can bank on a load of hassle

On promulgation, I asked the judge if I could approach the bench with the public prosecutor (fiscal then).

Martial law reminiscences and springtime

An apex court bench comprising Justices B S Chauhan and A K Sikri said it is unable to modify the order of another bench and has instead asked Srinivasan to approach the bench that delivered the May 16 order.

SC rejects Srinivasan's plea seeking modification of May 16 order

After listening to Stoever's impassioned closing argument, Bland invited the eight defendants to approach the bench.

Trial of anti-nuclear activists ends with unusual sentence

The SFA have hired Ronnie Clancy QC, at a reputed cost of pounds 4,000 a day, to approach the bench at the same time as Paul McBride QC, who presumably has no need of income support either, in the case of Neil Lennon versus the SFA.

Welcome to the madhouse; From San Siro spat to derby hysteria there is no escaping Old Firm lunacy: On why wee Gordon Strachan was right about crazy world of Scotland's big two

Khamis was told by the judge to approach the bench and requested to again show his injuries, which Khamis says were inflicted last September, when he was released from state security investigations custody and sent to prison while awaiting trial," Mohamedain explained.

Zeitoun case defendants claim torture, case adjourned to April 18

In 1990 he won the Beresford Stakes with the well-named Approach The Bench, a son of Law Society and Arguing, ridden by Billy Newnes.

Flamboyant Irish trainer John Mulhern dies, aged 69; Festival hero Galmoy highlight of career

There were many such occasions in my life, moments at which, feeling that I had exhausted my own last resorts, I was then quietly rescued by my father's suggestion that I approach the bench.

Dad

It was the second Golden Pages victory for 28-year-old Conor Everard who was also successful on Approach The Bench in 1992.

Racing: Jim's Golden wonder

TV's `Ally McBeal' aside, real-life attorneys go for the conservative look when they approach the bench

STYLE ON TRIAL; ATTIRE OF TV LAWYERS JUDGED BY A JURY OF THEIR PEERS

Dropping from top-level action in the first Group 1 race for juveniles of the season to this restricted event, Mulhern's progressive son of Approach The Bench can defy an apparently tricky draw to keep this valuable prize at home and foil Richard Hannon's bid for three-in-a-row with filly Amazing Dream.

EASY ACCESS AT THE CURRAGH

Ask to approach the bench and if permission is granted, tell the judge that you have copies of all documents for the court.