In conducting some research in Campbell's Lives of the Lord Chancellors of England (1857), Professor Monroe Freedman came across a fascinating exchange involving Lord Erskine's defiance of the court. Professor Freedman asked me to pass this along:
Lord Erskine for the defense of the Dean of St. Asaph, Sir William Jones, in a trial for seditious libel for having written a tract on general principles of government and recommending parliamentary reform. Camp. VIII, 272-279. After a long series of contentious exchanges between Erskine and Justice Buller over how the language of the jury's verdict should be recorded, the following occurred (Camp. VIII, 277; small capitals in the original):
Buller, J.: "Sir, I will not be interrupted." Erskine: "I stand here as an advocate for a brother citizen, and I desire that the [record be complete]." Buller, J.: "Sit down, Sir; remember your duty or I shall be obliged to proceed in another manner [i.e., with imprisonment for contempt of court]. Erskine: "Your Lordship may proceed in what manner you think fit; I know my duty as well as your Lordship knows yours. I shall not alter my conduct."
Campbell continued: "The learned judge took no notice of this reply, and, quailing under the rebuke of his pupil, did not repeat the menace of commitment. This noble stand for the independence of the Bar would of itself have entitled Erskine to the statue which the profession affectionately erected to his memory in Lincon's Inn Hall.... The example had had a salutary effect in illustrating and establishing the relative duties of Judge and Advocate in England."
[Update: The comments below have discussed the recent Lynne Stewart affair and have made reference to the similar debate that's been ongoing at Opino Juris. (JJS)]