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Roger Thursby #1
Brothers In Law
Roger Thursby, aged twenty-four, is called to the bar. He is young, inexperienced and his love life is complicated. He blunders his way through a succession of comic adventures including his calamitous debut at the bar. His career takes an upward turn when he is chosen to defend the caddish Alfred Greenat the Old Bailey. In this first Roger Thursby novel Henry Cecil satires the legal profession with his usual wit and insight.
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
About the author
Henry Cecil
117 books18 followersHenry Cecil Leon (19 September 1902 – 23 May 1976), who wrote under the pen-names Henry Cecil and Clifford Maxwell, was a judge and a writer of fiction about the British legal system. He was born near London in 1902 and was called to the Bar in 1923. Later in 1949 he was appointed a County Court Judge, a position he held until 1967. He used these experiences as inspiration for his work. His books are works of great comic genius with unpredictable twists of plot, but are not intended to be realistic or strong on characterization. They typically feature educated and genteel fraudsters and blackmailers who lay ludicrously ingenious plots exploiting loopholes in the legal system. There are several recurring characters, such as the drunken solicitor Mr Tewkesbury and the convoluted and exasperating witness Colonel Brain. He writes well about the judicial process, usually through the eyes of a young barrister but sometimes from the viewpoint of the judge; Daughters in Law contains a memorable snub from a County Court judge to a barrister who is trying to patronise him.
His 1955 novel Brothers in Law was made into a film in 1957 and, later, a television and radio series starring Richard Briers. While at Paramount Pictures, Alfred Hitchcock worked on adapting No Bail for the Judge for the screen several times between 1954 and 1960, and hoped to co-star Audrey Hepburn, Laurence Harvey, and John Williams, but the film was never produced.
His 1955 novel Brothers in Law was made into a film in 1957 and, later, a television and radio series starring Richard Briers. While at Paramount Pictures, Alfred Hitchcock worked on adapting No Bail for the Judge for the screen several times between 1954 and 1960, and hoped to co-star Audrey Hepburn, Laurence Harvey, and John Williams, but the film was never produced.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 20, 2015
Sometimes we just pick up a book on a whim. We want to read something, we find the premise to be ok, and we find the thickness of the book to be satisfactory. Brothers in Law was such a book for me. I had not heard of the author Henry Cecil, nor did the book have enough votes on Goodreads (less than 50 votes infact) for me to gauge anything about the book. But it just seemed different, so I thought little about it, and picked it up. Oh what a joyful experience it has been ever since! Henry Cecil, as it turns out, is no ordinary writer. He was a judge in Britain for many years, who used his legal experience to write many fictional stories that revolved around the dealings of the courtroom. Brothers in Law is one such example.
Brothers in Law is the story of a young barrister, Roger Thursby, who has cleared the Bar exam and is now learning his ropes as a junior attorney. During the course of the book, he understands the game of dealing with clients and judges better, while managing a romantic entanglement on the personal front with two beautiful ladies. The novel has been written with an exquisite clarity of thought as well as flow, which gives the reader a pure feeling of joy. It is hilarious in many places, and I mean not the kind where you smile, but the type where you put the book down and laugh your heart out as Thursby stutters and stammers through his court proceedings. The book also deals with a lot of loopholes in the English legal system (of that era which I hope have been plugged in subsequently), and brings them out with a lot of mirth.
Henry Cecil throws open this world of courtrooms and law firms in a nice refreshing manner, from the eyes of an honest barrister who is as clueless about things as most of us are. I took a liking to Thursby from very early on, and so would you, for the young fellow is simply too sweet, too hard-working, and too nervous, not to be likable. He makes friends along the way like the knowledgeable but lazy Henry, and starts to understand his feelings towards his girlfriends, Sally and Joy, a bit better. By the end of things, you would be hoping, just like I did, that Roger Thursby manages a great law career after all. Brothers in Law is a delightful novel, that makes for great reading over a weekend!
Brothers in Law is the story of a young barrister, Roger Thursby, who has cleared the Bar exam and is now learning his ropes as a junior attorney. During the course of the book, he understands the game of dealing with clients and judges better, while managing a romantic entanglement on the personal front with two beautiful ladies. The novel has been written with an exquisite clarity of thought as well as flow, which gives the reader a pure feeling of joy. It is hilarious in many places, and I mean not the kind where you smile, but the type where you put the book down and laugh your heart out as Thursby stutters and stammers through his court proceedings. The book also deals with a lot of loopholes in the English legal system (of that era which I hope have been plugged in subsequently), and brings them out with a lot of mirth.
Henry Cecil throws open this world of courtrooms and law firms in a nice refreshing manner, from the eyes of an honest barrister who is as clueless about things as most of us are. I took a liking to Thursby from very early on, and so would you, for the young fellow is simply too sweet, too hard-working, and too nervous, not to be likable. He makes friends along the way like the knowledgeable but lazy Henry, and starts to understand his feelings towards his girlfriends, Sally and Joy, a bit better. By the end of things, you would be hoping, just like I did, that Roger Thursby manages a great law career after all. Brothers in Law is a delightful novel, that makes for great reading over a weekend!
September 13, 2008
MY LEARNED FRIENDS AT COURT
I think that this amusing but inspiring work remains an excellent introduction to the problems which many trainee barristers face today even though it is a very old book now covering a period when pupils paid for their pupillages and you could appear robed in court on day one. The problems advocates face today are quite well covered in this funny set of legal stories which many in the legal profession did not take to initially all those years ago! We can view the situations with much more relaxed humour today as the class divide has been bridged to a certain extent.
Recent books on pupillage still recommend Henry Cecil's 'Brothers in Law' and I do advise students to watch the very funny film starring Ian Carmichael as a rather priggish Roger Thursby who has just been called to the Bar. Cecil was a County Court judge, His Honour Judge Leon.
The importance of this book is about the people that it portrays as the "client problem" and the "judge problem" still remains even though new technology has intervened. What comes out of the book is the type of character we come across as lawyers every day...and how they don't really change down the ages.
I watched the film again recently and had another look at the book which remains a firm favourite with me as a nostalgic trip back in time to a different age for the barrister. Do get it as it is still my friend in court, even now, and entertaining with that sparkle of truth which always runs through the law and its clients, even now!
PHILLIP TAYLOR MBE LL.B (Hons) PGCE Barrister-at-Law
Richmond Green Chambers
I think that this amusing but inspiring work remains an excellent introduction to the problems which many trainee barristers face today even though it is a very old book now covering a period when pupils paid for their pupillages and you could appear robed in court on day one. The problems advocates face today are quite well covered in this funny set of legal stories which many in the legal profession did not take to initially all those years ago! We can view the situations with much more relaxed humour today as the class divide has been bridged to a certain extent.
Recent books on pupillage still recommend Henry Cecil's 'Brothers in Law' and I do advise students to watch the very funny film starring Ian Carmichael as a rather priggish Roger Thursby who has just been called to the Bar. Cecil was a County Court judge, His Honour Judge Leon.
The importance of this book is about the people that it portrays as the "client problem" and the "judge problem" still remains even though new technology has intervened. What comes out of the book is the type of character we come across as lawyers every day...and how they don't really change down the ages.
I watched the film again recently and had another look at the book which remains a firm favourite with me as a nostalgic trip back in time to a different age for the barrister. Do get it as it is still my friend in court, even now, and entertaining with that sparkle of truth which always runs through the law and its clients, even now!
PHILLIP TAYLOR MBE LL.B (Hons) PGCE Barrister-at-Law
Richmond Green Chambers
June 17, 2018
Wonderful book to be read by pupil reading in chambers or a young barrister recently admitted to the bar.
Three main advice permeates throughout the book. (caveat: there are others as well)
(1) Fearless integrity (never compromise on this )
(2) Expect the unexpected (always be prepared, because you will never know what case you might be defending or prosecuting next in the court)
(3) Unfailing courtesy ( always be courteous to the court and to your learned friend (opposing counsel))
Roger Thursby, the main character, undergoes roller-coaster pupillage under his watchful yet carefree pupil master, Grimes. Though still wet behind his ears, he was thrown into defending various clients at most unprepared and unexpected times by his pupil master. At one time, he has to conduct cross-examination whilst his master attends to another matter in a different court. At the age of 23, he conducted a petition for divorce all by himself before the magistrate. (nothing unusual)
Interesting as it is.
Criticisms are leveled by his fellow chambermates who strongly feel that the system is not fair and there is no suffcient guideline as to how to prepare one for the actual bar itself. How does one do it? By just doing it!
The humuor in this book is supplemented by Thursby's girlfriends when he struggles to maintain relationships with them at the same time. Grimes adds more spice to his life, by encouraging his mother to favourite one over the other. (spoiler: both are aware of the existence of each other)
Interesting read, overall.
Highly recommended. Hence, the 5 stars.
Sreetharan Vallithan
Three main advice permeates throughout the book. (caveat: there are others as well)
(1) Fearless integrity (never compromise on this )
(2) Expect the unexpected (always be prepared, because you will never know what case you might be defending or prosecuting next in the court)
(3) Unfailing courtesy ( always be courteous to the court and to your learned friend (opposing counsel))
Roger Thursby, the main character, undergoes roller-coaster pupillage under his watchful yet carefree pupil master, Grimes. Though still wet behind his ears, he was thrown into defending various clients at most unprepared and unexpected times by his pupil master. At one time, he has to conduct cross-examination whilst his master attends to another matter in a different court. At the age of 23, he conducted a petition for divorce all by himself before the magistrate. (nothing unusual)
Interesting as it is.
Criticisms are leveled by his fellow chambermates who strongly feel that the system is not fair and there is no suffcient guideline as to how to prepare one for the actual bar itself. How does one do it? By just doing it!
The humuor in this book is supplemented by Thursby's girlfriends when he struggles to maintain relationships with them at the same time. Grimes adds more spice to his life, by encouraging his mother to favourite one over the other. (spoiler: both are aware of the existence of each other)
Interesting read, overall.
Highly recommended. Hence, the 5 stars.
Sreetharan Vallithan
October 1, 2025
This is the first of a number of humorous novels Henry Cecil has written starring barrister Roger Thursby. It was made into a film directed by Roy Boulting and starring Ian Carmichael and Terry-Thomas.
In the novel, Roger Thursby has just been called to the Bar. He is completing a pupillage under the supervision of Mr Grimes. The novel begins with Thursby pondering a question in his Bar Final Examination about the action a judge should take if he is sued for slander for comments he makes to a defendant after the latter is found innocent by the jury. I found that rather amusing, and was gratified when I found his correct answer was the same as I would have given even though I have never studied for the Bar. Thursby then finds himself panic-strickenly attempting to represent the Plaintiff in a case which he doesn't understand at all and for which he has not even read the papers, as his pupil supervisor, who was actually conducting the case, walked out to continue pursuing another case in another court at a key moment. This is just typical of both the humour and the pace which is typical of a Henry Cecil novel.
Mr Grimes' quirks are well described, particularly his manner of speech:
"Dear, dear, dear. I don't know what things are coming to. They will do these things, my dear fellow, they will do these things."
Even though this is, like all Henry Cecil's novels, a humorous novel, it nevertheless gives the reader a good insight into the English legal profession - albeit as it was in the 1950's, so one does have to check some details to see if the system is now different. Early on in the novel we learn that a barrister is given a blue bag to carry his robes, wig, and important papers to court, and that he can only use a red bag if he is presented one after being recognised by a KC or Senior Barrister for outstanding work. This is still the case many decades later. Thursby himself does not know this despite being a qualified barrister. I found it gave a thorough introduction to the life of a pupil barrister, who has to pay for the pupillage and likely or not receives no income at all.
In the novel, Roger Thursby has just been called to the Bar. He is completing a pupillage under the supervision of Mr Grimes. The novel begins with Thursby pondering a question in his Bar Final Examination about the action a judge should take if he is sued for slander for comments he makes to a defendant after the latter is found innocent by the jury. I found that rather amusing, and was gratified when I found his correct answer was the same as I would have given even though I have never studied for the Bar. Thursby then finds himself panic-strickenly attempting to represent the Plaintiff in a case which he doesn't understand at all and for which he has not even read the papers, as his pupil supervisor, who was actually conducting the case, walked out to continue pursuing another case in another court at a key moment. This is just typical of both the humour and the pace which is typical of a Henry Cecil novel.
Mr Grimes' quirks are well described, particularly his manner of speech:
"Dear, dear, dear. I don't know what things are coming to. They will do these things, my dear fellow, they will do these things."
Even though this is, like all Henry Cecil's novels, a humorous novel, it nevertheless gives the reader a good insight into the English legal profession - albeit as it was in the 1950's, so one does have to check some details to see if the system is now different. Early on in the novel we learn that a barrister is given a blue bag to carry his robes, wig, and important papers to court, and that he can only use a red bag if he is presented one after being recognised by a KC or Senior Barrister for outstanding work. This is still the case many decades later. Thursby himself does not know this despite being a qualified barrister. I found it gave a thorough introduction to the life of a pupil barrister, who has to pay for the pupillage and likely or not receives no income at all.
April 30, 2025
I was fresh from reading a classic Jeeves and Wooster comedy novel by British author P.G. Wodehouse when I first came across some books by Henry Cecil, once a British barrister and judge. So I was in the mood to dive into one of his classic comedies about the British legal system.
With the bit of knowledge I already had about English courts, I was quite ready for the courtly robes and wigs. What I wasn't as ready for? Almost all of the other technical aspects of Roger's new work as a barrister.
The only explanations that would come were from other characters in Roger's professional field, when he would ask them questions, being the newbie he is. And while I expected the story to come from Roger's perspective, and most of it does, sometimes it doesn't, when the narrator suddenly jumps into someone else's head. What with my being jarred by the narrator's switches a few times, and my having to get a feel for what wasn't explained about the setting and whatnot, it took a little while for my reading to get into a groove.
Once it did, I started enjoying it quite a bit—getting into the legal complications of Roger's cases and laughing out loud at his funniest moments at work. And moments in his muddled romantic life.
This was well on its way to becoming a five-star read for me—until I ran into one casual, distasteful racial expression I've read in British fiction before, referring to Black people. No, it isn't the N-word, but I still don't like it. So a fifth star didn't make it onto my rating.
Besides that, pretty much everything else about this comedy has me looking forward to trying its sequel sometime. Maybe I'll even check out the 1957 film based on the book? We'll see.
Note:
• language kept to a "PG" level, with some nonliteral uses of the alternate word for donkey and one occurrence of the B-word
• one dated racial expression
• no graphic violence
• no explicit sexual content
With the bit of knowledge I already had about English courts, I was quite ready for the courtly robes and wigs. What I wasn't as ready for? Almost all of the other technical aspects of Roger's new work as a barrister.
The only explanations that would come were from other characters in Roger's professional field, when he would ask them questions, being the newbie he is. And while I expected the story to come from Roger's perspective, and most of it does, sometimes it doesn't, when the narrator suddenly jumps into someone else's head. What with my being jarred by the narrator's switches a few times, and my having to get a feel for what wasn't explained about the setting and whatnot, it took a little while for my reading to get into a groove.
Once it did, I started enjoying it quite a bit—getting into the legal complications of Roger's cases and laughing out loud at his funniest moments at work. And moments in his muddled romantic life.
This was well on its way to becoming a five-star read for me—until I ran into one casual, distasteful racial expression I've read in British fiction before, referring to Black people. No, it isn't the N-word, but I still don't like it. So a fifth star didn't make it onto my rating.
Besides that, pretty much everything else about this comedy has me looking forward to trying its sequel sometime. Maybe I'll even check out the 1957 film based on the book? We'll see.
Note:
• language kept to a "PG" level, with some nonliteral uses of the alternate word for donkey and one occurrence of the B-word
• one dated racial expression
• no graphic violence
• no explicit sexual content
August 13, 2017
"Brothers-in-Law is charming and delightful on its own way."
The story goes as Roger Thursby, a young barrister joins Mr. Grimey's chambers to undergo pupilage wherein he faces trouble and adventure as any young lawyer would. Nevertheless, soon he attracts work and makes his mark in the profession.
The author, a retired common law judge, has weaved the story in such a way that it stands apart from other novels in legal fiction genre. Though John Grisham's works are more catchy and fast paced, rather they lack old school element which go to make the story more a classic. Brothers-in-Law will certainly take the reader to the olden days of English Courts and how the system worked. The author has not forgotten to satirically point out the irony that prevails in law. Few incidents like the junior pays the senior in order to undergo training in his chambers and the manner of addressing the law courts in olden days and how his girlfriends (two in number) get him briefs are sure to amuse the readers. On the whole, after reading the book, I just felt like how i did when i watched Charles Laughten's "Witness for the Prosecution"
Note: This novel being a pure courtroom drama with no other element may not satisfy the readers who are unrelated to law.
The story goes as Roger Thursby, a young barrister joins Mr. Grimey's chambers to undergo pupilage wherein he faces trouble and adventure as any young lawyer would. Nevertheless, soon he attracts work and makes his mark in the profession.
The author, a retired common law judge, has weaved the story in such a way that it stands apart from other novels in legal fiction genre. Though John Grisham's works are more catchy and fast paced, rather they lack old school element which go to make the story more a classic. Brothers-in-Law will certainly take the reader to the olden days of English Courts and how the system worked. The author has not forgotten to satirically point out the irony that prevails in law. Few incidents like the junior pays the senior in order to undergo training in his chambers and the manner of addressing the law courts in olden days and how his girlfriends (two in number) get him briefs are sure to amuse the readers. On the whole, after reading the book, I just felt like how i did when i watched Charles Laughten's "Witness for the Prosecution"
Note: This novel being a pure courtroom drama with no other element may not satisfy the readers who are unrelated to law.
September 15, 2020
Young Roger Thursby, clears his final exam, and at the young age of twenty- one is called to the Bar. Next morning, he arrives at Number 1. Temple Court, complete with royal blue, initialed bag containing his robes and wig, to take up the post of pupil to the well-known Junior, Mr. Kendall Grimes. But the Temple is nothing like he imagined. Joining a group of pupils, both new and old, he finds himself propelled from one Court to another, as the entire retinue of Clerk and pupils follows in the wake of Mr. Grimes as he rushes from court to court with the speed of a steam train. Much to his consternation, he is left holding the brief on the very first day, as Mr. Grimes rushes out to another hearing followed by the other pupils. A series of hilarious events take place over the year, some bring success, others don’t. Roger is also torn between his two girlfriends- the intelligent Sally and the pretty Joyce. Then the girls decide to put on the gloves, Joyce prettily persuading Uncle Alfred, Senior Partner in a Law firm to send lucrative briefs his way, and Sally taking up a job as secretary in a Law Firm, with the same objective. As the year passes, Roger begins to find his feet, and his direction in life. A glimpse into the world of Law with a satirical twist.
July 16, 2024
Positively riveting. It captures the imagination and should bolster any persons with their hopes and wishes set upon the bar.
I would suggest it captures the history and tradition of what we know of the barrister profession, hopefully they will not be lost in the future, however, they will do these things my dear fellows dear, dear they will do these things.
I would suggest it captures the history and tradition of what we know of the barrister profession, hopefully they will not be lost in the future, however, they will do these things my dear fellows dear, dear they will do these things.
September 10, 2017
Really not a novel. Calling it a collection of tenuously related short stories is still a little generous given the dearth of actual narrative. It's more like a series of amusing illustrative examples from a legal textbook.
July 14, 2022
B
Despite the first few hilarious court shenanigans, Brothers In Law starts to get quite formulaic after four or five chapters. The formula goes like this: court case - research/information provided - Joy vs Sally - repeat. Nevertheless, it is still fairly well-written and obviously authentic with all the insights into the legal system in Britain. It comes as no surprise given Henry Cecil's extensive experience in the bench himself.
Final verdict: 3.5/5 stars.
Despite the first few hilarious court shenanigans, Brothers In Law starts to get quite formulaic after four or five chapters. The formula goes like this: court case - research/information provided - Joy vs Sally - repeat. Nevertheless, it is still fairly well-written and obviously authentic with all the insights into the legal system in Britain. It comes as no surprise given Henry Cecil's extensive experience in the bench himself.
Final verdict: 3.5/5 stars.
July 5, 2023
Written in the 1950s a humorous book about the early days of a newly qualified barrister, the tangles that he gets into in court and in his love life. It makes you aware of several of the laws and courts that existed at that time, although some have since changed.
January 8, 2021
Terribly old fashioned, but funny for those with some insight into the British legal training system.
May 3, 2023
Another humorous look at British lawyers and judges. Cecil is Wodehouse for lawyers.
June 21, 2017
The best legal book I have read so far packed with good humor. I loved this book and still treasure my copy. I read it a couple of times in my high school days. Roger Thursby strikes me as a person of honor, integrity and a typical British. His consistent performance turned him into judge soon enough.
Amid the daily legal undertakings he was trying to make a relationship work as a young man. And a one time tutor to him Henry a smart pragmatic lawyer had to watch on the side lines as Roger rose steadily in the legal hierarchy surpassing him.
Amid the daily legal undertakings he was trying to make a relationship work as a young man. And a one time tutor to him Henry a smart pragmatic lawyer had to watch on the side lines as Roger rose steadily in the legal hierarchy surpassing him.
December 31, 2012
A book from a different time when life seemed gentler, and the working class knew their place, and the middle classes where totally out of touch with the rest of society. Still, although no real belly laughs it did produce a constant chuckle.
A lovely gentle read, I'm almost tempted to try and find the film which has people as Ian Carmichel and John le Mesuriere (I don't think it's spelt like that!).
A lovely gentle read, I'm almost tempted to try and find the film which has people as Ian Carmichel and John le Mesuriere (I don't think it's spelt like that!).
August 5, 2015
Inscribed to my dad 'Kerry keep an even keel chum" which is a cryptic step back into my father's past, this was a genteel and genial story of a young London lawyer making his first tentative steps at the Bar. Has to be read in the context of the times, the 50's although Henry Cecil a judge himself in real life makes some tentative steps for the emancipation of women he is firmly ensconced in the times. Quite fun though with some chuckles to be had.
November 5, 2012
A good book. Must read for any person irrespective of his interest in Legal fiction. The subtlety of the humor marks the niche that Cecil Leon commands. One of the really interesting reads. The portrayal of Roger Thursby as a mild mannered and always in doubt person is just neatly done. The flock of other characters like Sally, Henry and Tiger's mother play their part in tandem.
September 6, 2016
A vaguely amusing book about a young barrister taking his first steps after completing his exams.
It's an adequate way to pass a few hours pleasantly but in all honesty I preferred the film with Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, Richard Attenborough and a whole host of British film greats (and Nicholas Parsons).
It's an adequate way to pass a few hours pleasantly but in all honesty I preferred the film with Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, Richard Attenborough and a whole host of British film greats (and Nicholas Parsons).
February 5, 2016
If the vague inkling of a memory is right this one proceeds from Inlaws and Outlaws further, with the couple going ahead and meeting various relatives, and more legal fracas and much hilarity. Others in series are Fathers In Law and so forth.
March 6, 2009
Legal humor's original master
January 27, 2012
This book was very entertaining and quite a respite from fears, frights, death and destruction.
Want to Read
April 13, 2019Synopsis: humourous short stories about young barrister Roger Thursby who joins chambers and learns about the workings of the law.
April 1, 2017
I think this book is best described as a legal version of Richard Gordon's Doctor series. The set up is similar with a newly graduated young man starting out in his chosen profession and the situations he gets in presented in a humorous way and it was even written during the same time as the Doctor series. I enjoyed the gentle humor and the way that the situations were presented. In addition to the legal aspect of his life the protagonist Roger's romantic antics are also shown. The story is a little dated (it was written in the 50s) but it still rings true today and lets face it it shows the law for what is is - confusing, contrary and surprising, even to people who have studied it. I liked this book and recommend it as a good way to pass the time on a Sunday.
April 12, 2017
I read Henry Cecil's books about a barrister's travels through the law from pupil to judge in my early teens (late 60s) and have been very fond of them ever since.
They are delightful, funny and gentle although from a very different age. They were quaint and old-fashioned when I first read them and consequently offer a useful glimpse of social attitudes from the late 1950s and early 1960s.
They are delightful, funny and gentle although from a very different age. They were quaint and old-fashioned when I first read them and consequently offer a useful glimpse of social attitudes from the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews