Mr Tabley was Jerry Booth's solicitor in his divorce from Myra. Jerry was given a January 1968 court date but was informed of a last-minute postponement outside the courtroom from Mr Tabley, who had only just been told himself. The delay was due to a divorce case from the previous day being moved and taking Jerry's slot. The white-haired practitioner was confident that Jerry's case would still be heard that afternoon, assuring him that a routine case like his would be through "in a trice", and suggested that he go off and have a good lunch before coming back at 3.00pm.
Upon returning to court, Jerry sat in the public gallery during the aforementioned divorce case. When it carried on well beyond 3.00pm, Jerry pressed Mr Tabley for an update. Mr Tabley admitted that his estimate had been too optimistic and Jerry's case had been postponed until the following day. Fortunately, there were no further delays and Jerry was granted his Decree Nisi without incident.