World goes crazy over justice’s fashion choices, but it’s Lord Pannick QC who really steals the Brexit Supreme Court show
This week saw the eleven justices of the Supreme Court sit down to hear the most important constitutional law case of a lifetime, but everyone was more bothered about what Lord Sumption was wearing.
A quick scan of the outspoken justice’s tie choices makes it abundantly clear why.
Monday’s tie: Headache-inducing
Fuck whether Theresa can invoke #Article50 herself to trigger #Brexit – all I care about is Lord Sumption's tie! #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/gCAlKWVt1H
— Stewart (@cunning_chops) December 5, 2016
Tuesday’s tie: Abstract, but snazzy
Another day, another sumptuous tie from Lord Sumption #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/RBOkJMgr11
— Daniel Kraemer (@dcakraemer) December 6, 2016
Wednesday’s tie: Team GB Olympic-themed. A tabloid newspaper teaser?
Lord Sumption is openly wearing an Olympics tie pic.twitter.com/xwViDTDDBQ
— Felicity Morse (@FelicityMorse) December 7, 2016
Thursday’s tie: Festive, yet disappointing
Finally got eyes on Lord Sumption's tie and it's boring ?#SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/UKqVS5rnIG
— Lauren (@laurenemily) December 8, 2016
While the world couldn’t help but gawp at the former commercial barrister’s fashion sense, an unlikely Twitter hero was born in the form of Lord Pannick QC.
The Blackstone Chambers barrister, who represented lead claimant Gina Miller in the case, exploded across the Twitterati scene this week, as spectators watched in awe at the constitutional lawyer’s impressive advocacy. Here’s just some of the, more humorous, gush:
Lord Pannick could probably convince me to stick to my diet. This is incredible. #PannickAttack
— AJM (@YouMustBeAnna) December 6, 2016
How amazing would it be if Neuberger just stopped Pannick midway: "I think we've heard enough to be able to reach a decision…"
— Shoaib M Khan (@ShoaibMKhan) December 6, 2016
Pannick owning Lord Carnwoth
— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) December 6, 2016
Well if that's a tight rope walk over a constitutional trap, I'd say Pannick is tap dancing on it! Go Pannick go go go!
— Lucy Series (@TheSmallPlaces) December 6, 2016
I admit it. I'm crushing on Lord Pannick right now. Maybe I can get a poster for my office.
— Hélène Tyrrell (@DrHeleneTyrrell) December 6, 2016
Even legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg QC — who authored a piece for Legal Cheek on the Supreme Court Brexit hearing — had nice things to say:
Pannick gives the court a masterclass in how to cite cases. Read the key quotes only but know the case well enough to handle any questions.
— Joshua Rozenberg (@JoshuaRozenberg) December 6, 2016
Leading to speculation Sumption’s tie collection was all just a ploy…
[Sumption household this morning.]
"Pannick is getting all the attention But I was a better barrister. What can I do?"
[Sees tie rack.]
— Law and policy (@Law_and_policy) December 7, 2016
The Miller challenge concludes today, with judgment expected in January. We will all have to wait until then to find out what Sumption’s next tie choice will be.