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The Oxford Book of Legal Anecdotes
A former lawyer and celebrated crime writer has compiled this vastly entertaining collection of anecdotes, drawing from the reminiscences of lawyers and criminals, witnesses and clerks. The law has a great hold over the imagination of the it is all-powerful, yet its servants can be
fallible, and it is the foibles as well as the authority of judges and other legal practitioners that make this collection so enjoyable. Edward Carson cross-examining Oscar Wilde, Clarence Darrow defending J.T. Scopes for teaching the theory of these are perhaps the best known of many
celebrated legal battles retold in these pages. Of a less dramatic nature is the story of the letter received by Judge Benjamin "I read in the newspapers that you are a liberal judge. Will you send me ten dollars as I'm really very hard up." The entries are arranged alphabetically by
the name of their principal subject; headnotes set the context and describe the subject's occupation (i.e. "judge", "attorney general"). A useful note explains the differences between the British, European, and American legal systems.
fallible, and it is the foibles as well as the authority of judges and other legal practitioners that make this collection so enjoyable. Edward Carson cross-examining Oscar Wilde, Clarence Darrow defending J.T. Scopes for teaching the theory of these are perhaps the best known of many
celebrated legal battles retold in these pages. Of a less dramatic nature is the story of the letter received by Judge Benjamin "I read in the newspapers that you are a liberal judge. Will you send me ten dollars as I'm really very hard up." The entries are arranged alphabetically by
the name of their principal subject; headnotes set the context and describe the subject's occupation (i.e. "judge", "attorney general"). A useful note explains the differences between the British, European, and American legal systems.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 1986
About the author
Michael Gilbert
135 books96 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Born in Lincolnshire in 1912, Michael Francis Gilbert was educated in Sussex before entering the University of London where he gained an LLB with honours in 1937. Gilbert was a founding member of the British Crime Writers Association, and in 1988 he was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America - an achievement many thought long overdue. He won the Life Achievement Anthony Award at the 1990 Boucheron in London, and in 1980 he was knighted as a Commander in the Order of the British Empire. Gilbert made his debut in 1947 with Close Quarters, and since then has become recognized as one of our most versatile British mystery writers.
He was the father of Harriett Gilbert.
Born in Lincolnshire in 1912, Michael Francis Gilbert was educated in Sussex before entering the University of London where he gained an LLB with honours in 1937. Gilbert was a founding member of the British Crime Writers Association, and in 1988 he was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America - an achievement many thought long overdue. He won the Life Achievement Anthony Award at the 1990 Boucheron in London, and in 1980 he was knighted as a Commander in the Order of the British Empire. Gilbert made his debut in 1947 with Close Quarters, and since then has become recognized as one of our most versatile British mystery writers.
He was the father of Harriett Gilbert.
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