Court usher

I am the most senior court usher at the courthouse. Twenty-four years of service! People often ask me what exactly I do at the court. So here you have it--little overview of my role during a trial.

The word “usher” was originally used to describe a servant who was in charge of doors and allowing people to pass through them. But I’m not just a doorman! One of my responsibilities is to make sure that the courtroom is ready for the trial. For example, I have to make sure that the judge, the lawyers, and the parties have water available to them during the proceedings. If the court file is large, I am the one who transports it from the judge’s chambers to the courtroom. In some important cases, I have seen files that filled many boxes. I also make sure that any law books the judge will need are handy.

Once the room is ready, all we need are the lawyers, the parties, and the judge. It’s up to me to coordinate everybody, as the judge only makes his appearance once everyone else is present and ready for the trial to begin. When it’s time to begin the proceedings, I have to find the lawyers if they are not already in the room. Generally, they are not too far away, waiting either in the hallway or in one of the nearby conference rooms.

The hearing usually starts on time. The judge may nevertheless delay it to allow the parties time to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. In such a case, I act as the messenger and let the judge know how the negotiations are going. If the parties come to an agreement, everyone will meet in the courtroom where the judge will ratify the settlement by pronouncing a judgment that is in line with it. On the other hand, if no settlement is reached, the trial goes ahead as planned.

I make sure that decorum is respected in the court. When the judge enters, I ask everyone to stay quiet; once the judge sits down, I pronounce the famous line, “Court is now in session.” I then invite everyone to take their seats. During the trial, I often have to spend long hours seated and motionless. I spend the time listening to the testimony and to the lawyers’ arguments, while keeping an eye out for situations that may require my services. I might be called to go photocopy documents, to meet witnesses waiting in the corridor or, in hearings that are closed to the public, to ask people other than the parties or lawyers to leave the courtroom.

In my work, it is important to exercise a great deal of discretion. If I am ever assigned to a case that involves people I know personally, I ask another court usher to replace me. I am well aware that it’s difficult and intimidating enough to be in court, never mind also having to tell your story in front of an acquaintance.

Having attended so many trials during my career, I have picked up a lot about the law, but I have also learned about people’s lives and about human nature, in general. In the first few months of my work, I remember being quite affected hearing a woman recount how her child had died. I have listened to many sad stories, but I have also seen some pretty crazy situations.

So there you have it, that’s my role in court. The court usher is in some ways the person who makes the whole thing work. Discreetly, he makes sure everything is in order so as to make life easier for the judge, lawyers, witnesses, and parties.