The Secret Barrister

I've wanted to read this book ever since having the misfortune to being dragged into a terrible legal case in a previous work role. I found the experience to be eye-opening for all the wrong reasons - I'd always assumed that truth is very quickly outed by the British legal system, especially when evidence to prove it is readily available, but instead discovered to my disgust that it was a system which could be frustrated and played by those in the know.

This book focuses on the British criminal courts (or at least those of England and Wales) rather than those that handle commercial cases, but a similar theme quickly emerges. Budget pressures have encouraged a 'stack 'em high' approach to the amount of cases the system is expected to process, with the result that the system is left full of holes. Crucial evidence is regularly not submitted on the back of CPS and police incompetence or resource pressures, unscrupulous solicitors have moved in with shoddy representation where legal aid low rates make it difficult for good solicitors to stay in the industry, and if you're a victim of a miscarriage of justice, forget receiving anything in the way of compensation following legal reform, even if you've lost 10 years of life wrongly convicted in prison, coming out to no job, no relationship, no home. And if you're charged with a crime and are found not guilty, if you don't meet the relatively low salary means test to qualify for legal aid, don't expect that your innocence will equate to a repayment of the six figure sum you've had to fork out for private legal representation - you'll see a minuscule amount returned.

It's a frightening picture painted by The Secret Barrister, and from my own small and unexpected experience with our courts I have little trouble in believing what he says.

In terms of readability, it was a little dense in legal facts and terms at times; I'd have enjoyed more case examples, and probably didn't need to know all of the detail The Secret Barrister included. But despite glazing over in places, it's an important read for any British citizen. As pointed out heavily in the book, no one expects to have brushes with the criminal courts, but many good people do, whether it's carrying out jury service, being a victim of crime, being in the wrong place at the wrong time and wrongly accused of a crime or simply making a mistake.

3.5 stars - my eyes are now wide open.… (altro)

Gosh. This book is a revelation to someone who's worked on the edges of the criminal justice system.
As the 'name' of the author implies, this is written by a barrister of some years' experience. His clients are ordinary members of society. Some of them have done wrong, some have had wrong done to them. Others have been erroneously accused of wrong-doing. And they're subject to a system which, at bottom, though imperfect, has got plenty going for it: but is letting them down. Blame years - especially recent years - of chronic underfunding which has brought the legal aid system the Probation Service and aspects of the legal profession to the brink of collapse. Blame politicking- the desire to please a public who are all too ready to lock 'em up and throw away the key - for policies which do little or nothing to reform a prisoner and fit him or her to re-enter society with no motivation to re-offend. It's frightening stuff. But written with a light and humorous touch which kept me turning the pages.… (altro)

Another DNF in the same vein as Nudge...a highly specialist and academic topic, this time talking about how the legal system works in the United Kingdom. To be honest, the writing is quite compelling...at least compelling enough for me to keep struggling through this short book for the better part of this year, one page at a time.

It kind of hurts to give up on this book (im almost half way through)...but i think learning to let go is healthier for my reading life.

besides...there's always another book in the TBR pile!… (altro)