Unlawful Killings - Life, Love and Murder: Trials at the Old Bailey

Have you ever had to go to a family, civil or criminal court or Tribunal? No matter where we live in the world there are laws set by its government or leader. Some are fair and some not so fair but no matter how we personally feel about these laws or rules, we know that if we do not follow them, punishment is not far behind. In England and Wales its no different. Some consider the one of rule enforcers there, the courts, to be an example of how justice should be disseminated around the world. Other individuals or groups feel that our courts are far removed from the "real world" and the financial, social and moral dilemmas that its citizens face day in day out.

One section of the justice system that affects all of us is the criminal courts*. Out of all the offences dealt with by these courts, murder, rape and child abuse are considered some of the most serious crimes. Judges who have to deal with these type of offences have to balance then needs of the victim, their family and the safety of society against the rights of the defendant especially as they are considered innocent until proven guilty by a jury of 12 adult peers. One such Judge sitting the one of the most famous crown courts in the world, The Old Bailey, is Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC (Kings Counsel). Her book Unlawful Killings published by Penguin books takes the reader through six cases she has presided over and what the case concerned and how the criminal justice system and the people who work and volunteer within it work hand in hand to bring about justice.

It is very easy to follow Her Ladyship's though process through out the book. It is written in plain English and not full of legal jargon and for a senior Judge this is a big deal as their whole working life has been immersed within this world and many forget that most of society find the law a very foreign place to be. The author also breaths life into this book making it a joy to read and difficult to put down. I particularly enjoyed seeing things from the Judges perspective. We tend to see things from the presses ideals and not from the people who play the most important roles within the court case so this was very enlightening.

My favourite chapter was the last one, chapter six - Vengeance is mine. Here we are introduced to a lady who has killed her husband. Abused her for many years the defendant finally snaps and when threatened with a gun in her face she wrestles it off of him and BANG! Or is that the whole truth? It is quite easy to want to side with the defendant and feel sorry for her and believe that this evil man deserved everything he got and more. However, when you are the jury or judge you have to put your emotions to one side and look at it from a purely legal perspective - what does the law say? Did she kill him in self-defence? Or was it planed?

These dilemmas are something that a judge has to deal with every case they handle and Her Honour Judge Joseph does this with skill and dedication. I would highly recommend this Sunday Times Bestseller to all out there who like reading non-fiction. You don't have to know anything about the law or even have an interest in it. As you delve into the books pages you are treated to a step by step account of life in all its true technicolour glory.

Unlawful Killings - Life, Love and Murder: Trials at the Old Bailey Judge 
Author Her Honour Judge Wendy Joseph KC
ISBN: 978-1-8049-9090-2
￡8.99UK CAN $19.99 RRP

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