Judges spend their public lives in courtrooms. They speak to the public through their judgments. But senior judges are frequently invited to contribute to professional, judicial, or academic conferences or publications, on whatever topic engages the attention of the audience at the time. This book contains a selection of the essays and addresses written or given by the present Senior Law Lord (as a Queen's Bench judge, Lord Justice of Appeal,
Master of the Rolls, and the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales) over the last 15 years or so, touching on a wide range of legally related topics.
Industry Reviews
`In selecting his topics, Bingham does not avoid the controversial - for instance legal aid, the right to silence, miscarriages of justice and a civil remedy for infringement of privacy. Yet the book also discusses more mundane issues relating to the daily practice of a senior judge. ... commendable and thoroughly enjoyable book ...'
Modern Law Review, 1 Nov 2001
`There is much more to read in this important collection. Part III on "The Wider World" touches on some of the most sensitive issues in modern society. "Law in a Pluralist Society" is a particularly timely essay'
Law Quarterly Review
`Not only does this collection of essays stir some of the great issues which confront our soceity, but its elegant, often pungent, prose...and dry, often self-effacing humorous asides...makes it a pleasure to read'
Law Quarterly Review
`Lord Bingham...considers some of the most contentious social issues of our day, and for that reason should be on the reading list of every civilised citizen, especially every politician and tabloid journalist'
Law Quarterly Review
`His conclusions are always challenging, never complacent'
Law Quarterly Review
`The current collection of lectures, speeches and essays makes full use of Lord Bingham's wide range of insights. ... the historical aspect of the book is one of its more captivating qualities ... a thoroughly enjoyable book ... ideally suited to the general reader, whether lay person or lawyer, who wants to know a little about a lot of subjects. The book is well written - always clear and concise, often insightful and amusing - and well researched
...'
The Cambridge Law Journal, 2001
`Lord Bingham ... considers some of the most contentious social issues of our day, and for that reason should be on the reading list of every civilised citizen, especially every politician and tabloid journalist ... His conclusions are always challenging, never complacent ... Part III on "The Wider World" touches on some of the most sensitive issues in modern society. "Law in a Pluralist Society" is a particularly timely essay ... Not only does this
collection of essays stir some of the great issues which confront our society, but its elegant, often pungent, prose ... and dry, often self-effacing humorous asides ... makes it a pleasure to read. Literary,
philosophical and historical allusions enliven the text ..'
Law Quarterly Review 1 July 2001
`The Judge as Lawmaker and The Discretion of the Judge, are elegantly and cogently written and will appeal to lay people, as well as to lawyers.'
Martin Mears, New Law Journal
`The book provides the rare opportunity to gain insight into the courtroom from the perspective of a senior judge.'
Claire Simpson, Books in the Media, 4/11/00, Main Edit.
