The public’s outcry over the Carol Peralta court party is justified on various grounds. The court room is not an appropriate venue for parties. Smoking in court buildings seems irregular, even if no cases were being held.

Moreover, parties thrown by the judiciary at the law courts pose a serious conflict of interest for the judiciary. If it is true that MPs, lawyers and journalists were at the party, this constitutes a threat to the impartiality of the judiciary.

Judges and magistrates may have to deal with high-profile cases involving MPs or journalists.

Lawyers routinely argue cases before those same judges and magistrates. Can the public feel reassured that the same judges and magistrates will hear such cases impartially when they are throwing parties for people who might appear before them in court?

Having one’s behaviour scrutinised at every turn can feel stifling. But this is how things should be if the public is to have confidence in the judiciary.