Reviews

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

Book review: Walden of Bermondsey, by Peter Murphy

Reviewed by Paul Magrath His Honour Judge Walden is the resident judge (RJ) at Bermondsey Crown Court. This means that as well as conducting an unusually interesting variety of cases, he has to manage the court staff and facilities, and juggle the lists to ensure a fair distribution of work to his judicial colleagues – Continue reading

Book review: Calling down the storm, by Peter Murphy

“Judge not, lest ye be judged” goes the Biblical saying. But what happens when the judge himself is under suspicion? This is the awful prospect facing a recently appointed High Court judge in Peter Murphy’s absorbing new courtroom thriller, Calling Down the Storm. Reviewed by Paul Magrath. In the pages of this novel, notorious historical Continue reading

Book review: Evidence in Family Proceedings by David Burrows

In a series of posts on this blog, author David Burrows has been examining the impact on family law and practice of reported cases arising in other areas of law. Now Iain Large reviews his recently published book, Evidence in Family Proceedings, and welcomes a valuable new entry into a busy marketplace. Continue reading

Justice Online: just as good? Joshua Rozenberg on the online court

Giving the first of three annual talks on the creation of the online court, Joshua Rozenberg painted an optimistic vision of a future in which civil litigation would become fast, efficient and affordable to all. Surveying the chequered history of courts modernisation over the last 30 years, he explained why it was hoped this particular Continue reading

Book review: The Modern Judge by Sir Mark Hedley

Based on a series of public lectures given in 2015, this little gem of a book on the modern art of judging should be required reading for anyone seriously interested in law and the judicial system. As a former High Court and before that circuit judge, Sir Mark Hedley brings to his reflections a vast Continue reading

Brexit: what the hell happens now? Book review

The Brexit vote took the nation by surprise. For those who voted to Leave, exiting from the EU can’t happen fast enough. But few seem to appreciate what is actually involved in achieving this. Ian Dunt’s book examines the options and implications, and makes clear that the referendum result was only the start of a Continue reading

Rillington Place — Psycho-Pathé News meets Dr Stranglelove

The BBC’s three-part dramatisation of the tale of one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers was creepily authentic in its characterisation and atmosphere, but the mini-series left more questions than answers, says Paul Magrath in this review. Here’s something a bit spooky. Some years ago, a friend of mine who lives in Notting Hill attempted to Continue reading