18 commissions  only  looking  at  black  letter  law.    I  have  elsewhere  suggested  that  while that is an interesting position to advocate, no-one has ever satisfactorily defined what is ‘black   letter’.   Things   which   seem   most  formal  and  arid  can  still  have  social  and economic consequences.  Those who are closest to the use and operation of a part of the law  are  not  the  only  people  who  have  a  constructive  slant  or  a  rational  view  upon  it.   Reform should not be left in total capture by the insiders.    I have a personal predilection that the operation needs to be totally open. No surprises and a complete sharing of information throughout the reference.  I don’t know what life is  like  in  other  capitals  around  the  world,  but  I  have  to  say  that  Wellington,  New Zealand,  finds  that  a  somewhat  extraordinary  concept  to  cope  with.    Public  servants particularly  (and  if  I  am  being  honest  I  would  have  to  say  Judges  also)  often  seem  to have difficulty in engaging in open-ended dialogues.  They are very keen to learn what you are thinking in advance, but less keen to place their own cards on the table.    Those who are employed to service and advise politicians may be, or feel, constrained.   When I look back to my early days as a practitioner, close to the chest is how we ran litigation  in  Courts.  Many  of  the  most  skilled  advocates  were  those  who  kept  the greatest number of rabbits in hats with which they could surprise and steal a march.    I  suggest  in  both  areas  times  have  changed  and  that  the  best  outcomes  will  flow  from totally open and unrestrained sharing of ideas and possibilities as work in progress. In the Courts in my country, through case management and better planning, litigation by ambush has gone but the influence of that former  approach I still see as being alive and well.  If in seeking to simplify and improve and rationalise the law, there should be no hidden  agenda.    A  Law  Commission  simply  wants  to  identify  the  best  outcome.  I  can see  no  reason  to  hold  anything  back.    I  encourage  my  fellow  Commissioners  and research staff to share ideas with all who have something to contribute throughout our processes.  We need to tell people that what we are discussing is work in progress and