Released: 22nd March 2018
Genre: Non-Fiction, Society
Number of Pages: 343
In a criminal justice system facing innumerable problems, one unknown barrister lays bare his experiences and the greater issues that are eroding the UK’s approach to trials, crime and incarceration. He does so with a truly excellent book that provides the deepest examination of a sector that often goes by unnoticed by the wider public. Through it all, he points no fingers at any one person or political spectrum, always maintaining a level-headed look at the greater institutional failures at large.
Through a combination of real cases, observations and anecdotes, the unnamed barrister lays bare a side of the nation’s legal system. Each of the twelve chapters begins with an overall summary of various facets of court life, before proceeding with cases the author presided over. The descriptions are often very long-winded as he aims to deliver a complete picture of how the law works. Unlike other more complicated topics however, this is a case where you’ll want to acquire a full understanding of the lingo to get where this member of the law is coming from. He really gets you into the many perspectives of lawmen, barristers, judges, the accused and victims of crime; in this way, this barrister covers the full spectrum of those involved with the courts.
Ultimately, he tells of the many failed prosecutions, trials thrown out and the damage done to individuals who find themselves in prison. In turn, this is tied in with the emotions he has felt on many occasions; guilt for those he failed to defend, pride for his hard-working colleagues and frustration for what they are being put through. On top of offering a ton of details about what the law really means, The Secret Barrister successfully emphasises that the police, courts and crime play a role in all our lives, regardless if we’ve never been to a court before.
Recommended?
YES: The Secret Barrister is a superbly written and highly detailed look at the UK law profession and the problems it faces in the modern age. It’s honest, witty and often shocking, but that’s what makes it so engaging. Provided you can digest the more complicated language associated with the sector, it’s a must-read.
Comments