So seriously -Why was the Trial cancelled today?

[LagosBen]

Mr McCann was informed that the hearing had been adjourned because one of the lawyers’ grown up children was unwell

The former police officer’s lawyer, Vitor Santos de Oliveira, applied to halt the hearing on Thursday night, telling the court his son was in hospital.
He said: “My son is having an operation. I hope that because of this you won’t be making a hullabaloo saying that Gonçalo Amaral is holding things up.”
Isabel Duarte, the lawyer who is representing the McCann family said: “It’s not surreal, it’s Portugal.”
“I saw the request to adjourn this morning. The facts are that we have organised the trial and the lawyer was actually here, so I was expecting the trial today. I asked the judge to at least hear my witness.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/madeleinemccann/10340640/Gerry-McCann-frustrated-after-libel-trial-is-suddenly-postponed.html

So WTF, wasn't everyone told, before the hearing today!

Something isn't right !

[John]

I have experienced this sort of behaviour by lawyers and courts even in the UK.  At the end of the day they don't give a shit that people have to make all sorts of private arrangements and catch a flight to get there.

[ferryman]

EH? So how much notice do you have for Operations over there?

Apologies for the delay, it took me a while to find:

y Catarina Aleixo, Lisbon6:34PM BST 27 Sep 2013
Gerry McCann, 45, travelled to Lisbon with his sister Trish Cameron, in the hope of appearing as a witness in the case of Goncalo Amaral, the shamed detective they are suing for £1 million.
But as he arrived at the courthouse in the Portuguese capital, Mr McCann was informed that the hearing had been adjourned because one of the lawyers’ grown up children was unwell.Mr McCann and his wife Kate launched a libel action against Mr Amaral over his book, The Truth of the Lie, in which he alleged they were involved in their daughter’s disappearance in May 2007.
Portuguese law used to prevent the plaintiffs or claimants from giving evidence in such hearings, but a recent ruling overturned that ban.
Mr McCann said despite the sudden postponement of the hearing he was determined to return and give evidence in the case.

He said: “If I get the opportunity to be heard I will come back. The law has changed and Kate and I know better than anybody what we have gone through, the facts of the files and the damage that has been caused to the search for Madeleine.”
The decision to suddenly postpone the hearing is the latest frustration for the McCann family, who believe Mr Amaral’s book badly damaged the international search for their daughter.
Previously Mrs Cameron and Mrs McCann’s mother, Susan Healy, had travelled to Portugal in the hope of giving evidence, only to be turned away when the Judge Maria Emilia Melo e Catro called off the trial citing “personal reasons”.

The former police officer’s lawyer, Vitor Santos de Oliveira, applied to halt the hearing on Thursday night, telling the court his son was in hospital.
He said: “My son is having an operation. I hope that because of this you won’t be making a hullabaloo saying that Gonçalo Amaral is holding things up.”
Isabel Duarte, the lawyer who is representing the McCann family said: “It’s not surreal, it’s Portugal.”
“I saw the request to adjourn this morning. The facts are that we have organised the trial and the lawyer was actually here, so I was expecting the trial today. I asked the judge to at least hear my witness.”
Mr Amaral’s controversial book was published in July 2008 claiming that Madeleine had died in an accident and her parents had hidden her body before faking her abduction.
The couple are suing Mr Amaral, his publishers and associated documentary makers for £1 million.
The trial is scheduled to sit again next Tuesday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/madeleinemccann/10340640/Gerry-McCann-frustrated-after-libel-trial-is-suddenly-postponed.html

[DCI]

Something isn't right !

Odd isn't it. First the judge has problems, and cancels, now the lawyer. Something stinks 

[LagosBen]

I have experienced this sort of behaviour by lawyers and courts even in the UK.  At the end of the day they don't give a shit that people have to make all sorts of private arrangements and catch a flight to get there.

But if ferrymans post is correct  A grown up child? A hospital op that must have been booked in advance surely?

Well out of order, and frankly makes one wonder hmm.

[Mr Gray]

I have experienced this sort of behaviour by lawyers and courts even in the UK.  At the end of the day they don't give a shit that people have to make all sorts of private arrangements and catch a flight to get there.

Yes I agree, they don't give a shit

[Matthew Wyse]

But if ferrymans post is correct  A grown up child? A hospital op that must have been booked in advance surely?

Well out of order, and frankly makes one wonder hmm.

Could have been an appendicitis or anything.   hmm   >@@(*&)

[LagosBen]

Odd isn't it. First the judge has problems, and cancels, now the lawyer. Something stinks 

Why didn't he just apologise and end this farce?

It's really not showing the PT Justice system in a good light.

Our system isn't perfect, but I doubt that kind of excuse would hold water with a Judge..

[LagosBen]

Could have been an appendicitis or anything.   hmm   >@@(*&)

Of the hand uh uh don't think so.

[AnneGuedes]

I think you have answered the question...what a disgrace.. Gerry McCann,  a british doctor will have had to cancel patients today .

He couldn't be heard to-day anyhow. And how do you know he cancelled patients ? He doesn't work 24x7 hours a week. He decided to take the stand yesterday and yesterday Mrs Duarte filled the request that has to be submitted to the defence. The only chance was perhaps the defence agreeing with that. But I think he came to support his sister and I find it kind from him. What I don't understand though is why Mrs Cameron didn't come back with Mrs Healy.

[Angelo222]

He couldn't be heard to-day anyhow. And how do you know he cancelled patients ? He doesn't work 24x7 hours a week. He decided to take the stand yesterday and yesterday Mrs Duarte filled the request that has to be submitted to the defence. The only chance was perhaps the defence agreeing with that. But I think he came to support his sister and I find it kind from him. What I don't understand though is why Mrs Cameron didn't come back with Mrs Healy.

It is all beginning to make sense now.  The McCanns have seen how the case is going, probably reading the reports on here too and they realise that they need to have personal input if they are ever going to win.  Gerry wants to make a last minute impact and that is why Duarte had to submit a late request that he be heard.

I wouldn't be surprised that team Amaral have taken this time to review their own strategy.

[LagosBen]

I'm not legal but anyone can see just what is going on over there.

No matter who wins this will drag on and on.

[Redblossom]

I'm not legal but anyone can see just what is going on over there.

No matter who wins this will drag on and on.

Do you mean this particular trial? A three day delay in resumption of proceedings is hardly a dragging on, unless you are talking about appeals and counter appeals over months or years

[LagosBen]

Do you mean this particular trial? A three day delay in resumption of proceedings is hardly a dragging on, unless you are talking about appeals and counter appeals over months or years

How long ago did this start?

[Redblossom]

How long ago did this start?

Interesting always when people answer a question with a question....instead of just sayng outright what they think

Why are you asking? Dont you know?