While esteemed lawyers pick their favourite books for The Times, how about some books written by lawyers themselves to keep in mind for the final days of Christmas shopping ahead.
May it Please You, Madam (The Book Guild) is written by Neil Hickman, a former district judge, and illustrated by the late district judge Jeff Bower. It brings together a splendid collection of bloopers, mots justes and malapropisms — with a caseload of courtroom cock-ups. I enjoyed the defendant who announced: “My solicitor has advised me that if I am innocent then I should tell my story; but if I am guilty I should say nowt . . . so I am saying nowt.”
Meanwhile, Judge Paul Worsley, QC, has lifted his sights above the law to write a book for children (albeit with a legal theme): The Mango Monkey (Sawdon Press), which is beautifully illustrated by Josephine Chisholm. The naughty monkey is an inveterate pilferer of mangos. Eventually he gets caught, but redeems himself — a nice example of retributive justice.
More seriously, No Bar to Success (BPC) by Peter Whiteman, QC, tracks this East-Ender’s rise to success from antisemitic taunting at school to setting up his own chambers at the age of 34, then becoming the youngest QC in modern times. But there are ups and downs (to put it mildly) on the way, professionally and personally. A good read for budding lawyers who feel the odds are stacked against them.
King no more
Those reading the legal press have followed with grim fascination the problems at King & Wood Mallesons. Latest reports suggest that the firm has told the lawyers and staff that they will be paid in January, but beyond that salaries cannot be guaranteed. One has every sympathy for the employees, but a firm calling itself “the global elite firm for the next century” clearly had no expectation of short-term success. Its other slogan, “The Power of Together”, will, I fear, not have currency much longer.
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Baubles for good
The Law Society of Scotland has launched a campaign for its charity, the Lawscot Foundation, to provide financial help and mentoring to students from less advantaged backgrounds as they study for a law degree and the diploma in professional legal practice. Sponsor a bauble on the Law Society’s Christmas tree in its Edinburgh office to help to raise money over the holidays. For more on the Lawscot Foundation, see lawscotfoundation.org.uk.
edward.fennell@yahoo.co.uk