When There Are Too Many Lawyers...

If you've ever been involved in a petty squabble and found yourself before the courts you might want to read this astonishing story. A dispute over $115, with a nudge from the legal system, took on a life of its own and over ten years involved every court in the country including the High Court of Australia.

Tired of pedestrian legal advice and ballooning costs, reluctant hero, Alan Manly, a self-acknowledged manic obsessive compulsive former postman, former television repairman and would-be entrepreneur with a ninth grade education, sacked his lawyers and took on the system.

In this thrilling account he finds himself accused, sued, defamed, assaulted - stumbling over shams, sexual predators and suicide, unemployed and teetering on the edge of bankruptcy - his life virtually a smoking ruin. In this David and Goliath rematch he exposes the legal system that so easily crushes the innocent. Sometimes hilarious, even ridiculous, but a true Australian story.

About the Author

Alan grew up on a small farm on the outskirts of Bacchus Marsh in the North West of Victoria. His family tried to make a living from the land, but his father was in poor health and the family struggled to survive. Alan attended the local state school, as did its most famous graduate, the Man Booker prize winner, Peter Carey.

After dropping out in Year Nine Alan worked as a postman before securing an apprenticeship as a television repairman. Unfortunately, his employer went broke, was convicted of fraud and committed suicide. But the great apprenticeship system swung into action and Alan was offered a job as a computer engineer in Melbourne. After a stint in research and development he switched to sales and marketing and was hired by the Digital Equipment Corporation. After several years with Digital Alan became involved with a company which was developing its own software products and it was during this period of his career that he became embroiled in the legal nightmare which is the subject of this book.

Since then Alan has successfully embarked on a new career in the education sector . He lives in Sydney with his wife and son.