Reviews

News, analysis, comment and updates from ICLR's case law and UK legislation platform

The Verdict, by Nick Stone

Reviewed by Paul Magrath   When the drugged, strangled corpse of a blonde in a green dress is found in the bedroom of hedge fund honcho Vernon James’s trashed hotel suite, the morning after the gala awards ceremony where he was awarded the Ethical Man of the Year prize, his protestations of innocence meet a wall Continue reading

Constance Briscoe brought to book: a sad end to a promising legal career

The news that an experienced criminal barrister and part-time judge, Constance Briscoe, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for three offences of perverting the course of justice has prompted widespread comment and, in some quarters, indignation. It brings a promising career to an abrupt end and, for a once inspiring role model, it is also a sad fall from grace. Continue reading

Silk – where strife imitates art

How does a prime time TV series about the law satisfy both the public curiosity about the legal profession and its practices, and the respect of practitioners themselves who would like to see a mirror held up to their nature? And just how true-to-life can the characters get when one of them steps out of Continue reading

Book review: Slapper and Kelly, The English Legal system

The English Legal system, 14th ed (2013-2014), by Gary Slapper and David Kelly (Routledge, £32.99). As the authors point out in their introduction, the English legal system has evolved over a period of more than a thousand years, and continues to evolve daily. It needs a textbook of sufficient heft and vigour to keep up with Continue reading

Libel reform: freedom, censorship and debate

The stories that matter are the ones that go unheard. The threat of censorship is nothing new, but if we think that by living in a free country, with the right of free speech guaranteed by the article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, we don’t need to worry about censorship, then we Continue reading

Suits…

Over the festive season I was handed a business card for Harvey Specter, Senior Partner at Pearson Hardman, whilst out shopping. The suited and booted chaps wielding an array of promotional materials were from the TV channel Dave, who will soon be showcasing a new legal drama called Suits. The (usually) comical channel, Dave, wouldn’t Continue reading

Christmas book recommendations (2)

The limitation period on festive gift buying is about to expire. File a claim for peace and goodwill before it’s too late! But if you can’t face the crush in the last minute bargain basement of your local department store, fear not. Help is at hand in the bookshop. And for those with e-readers and Continue reading