Asense of humour may not top everyone's list of qualities needed by a judge. But Mr Justice Raymond Sears regards it as essential for survival on the bench.
The judge, who over the past 13 years has become one of the Judiciary's most colourful and controversial characters, has rarely missed an opportunity to lighten the atmosphere in court with a witty one-liner.
But the trademark cheeky smile will be missing from the High Court in future.
Mr Justice Sears, whose passion for horse-racing is almost as famous as his clashes with the Government, will pass the judicial finishing post tomorrow when he begins his retirement.
Looking back on his career, he provided a rare insight into the human side of being a judge.
'You have to get a sense of humour in this job, otherwise you would get so depressed with mankind generally,' he said.
'The worst thing about being a judge is that you never have anyone in front of you who is happy. Everyone is unhappy. They have either murdered someone or someone has run off with their wife or their money.