In Your Defence: True Stories of Life and Law
£9.40£10.40 (-10%)
‘As thrilling as a detective novel.’ The Times
‘Powerful, moving and often captivating.’ Financial Times
‘A compelling read for anyone who cares about fairness, justice and humanity.’ Observer
The Sunday Times bestseller
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Sarah Langford is a barrister. Her job is to stand in court representing the mad and the bad, the vulnerable, the heartbroken and the hopeful. She must become their voice. Sarah weaves their story around the black and white of the law and tell it to the courtroom. These stories may not make headlines but they will change the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary ways. They are stories which, but for a twist of luck, might have been yours.
With remarkable candour, Sarah describes eleven cases which reveal what goes on in our criminal and family courts: these are tales of domestic fall out, everyday burglary, sexual indiscretion, and children caught up in the law. They are sometimes shocking and they are often heart-stopping. She examines how she feels as she defends the person standing in the dock. She also shows us how our attitudes and actions can shape not only the outcome of a case, but the legal system itself.
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What readers are saying:
***** ‘Absolutely fascinating . . . thought provoking, powerful and a compelling read.’
***** ‘This book broke my heart at times but also contained humour and such poignant insights into the criminal justice system.’
***** ‘Sarah writes incredibly well – she’s informative while maintaining suspense and tension, and conveys so much emotion in her writing
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Additional information
| Publisher | Black Swan (3 Jan. 2019) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1784163082 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1784163082 |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 2.03 x 19.69 cm |
by Rhanna
I quite enjoyed this, it’s easy to read and makes you think about the legal system and the accused in a different way.
by Kindle Customer
This is an excellent book that gives a real insight into what happens in a court . I really enjoyed it
by Amazon Customer
To read on my kindle. This is a pleasant way to read a very interesting book.
by Katy
Sarah Langford gives a really insightful look into core features of our legal systen today. She makes a strong case for the importance of legal representation, and her explanation of how the law works in each of these cases was quite the interesting read
by Marilyn M. Williams
Found it very interesting. Enjoy Sarah’s writing, especially her second book Rooted. This one harder to follow in places, not because of her writing, but because the law can be very strange and frustrating. I like the fact that she always wanted to find the truth and had compassion for those convicted, sometimes unfairly.
by katherine James
This is a remarkable book. Those involved in the day to day work of our criminal and family courts will recognise the challenges faced in our justice system. It is written with compassion, insight and fairness. Sarah Langford puts the reader in the courtroom and, insofar as is possible, the minds of those whose lives lie in the hands of juries, judges and magistrates. Essential reading for those contemplating a career as a solicitor, barrister or volunteering as a magistrate.
by Janie U
I have some experience of both family and adult courts so am always eager to read about how others interact within the system.
The Secret Barrister was my most recent read about the courts and, whilst some of it was fair, I found to whole tone of the book very pessimistic. From the reviews I understood that Sarah Langford takes a much more constructive attitude (always worth remembering that the court system has many flaws but strives to always do the right thing first time). By the way, I also have some admiration for this author not being anonymous.
Each chapter tells an individual case in the court system and they are very representative of the regular work. Each example raises a specific point which has stayed with the author throughout her career so far. Among the details are general observations about the system and the people in it. There is a high level of intensity with each case but there is always some sort of conclusion and closure.
Much of this account is fascinating and the author has a good style of communication which would not alienate anyone. I reflected a lot about the individuals and our access to their lives – they are in court for a few short hours to be judged by people who know only a little about their lives prior to being in court and can only guess about what happens next (unless someone is sent to prison!!).
Sarah Langford never shies away from problems in the criminal justice system but her deep felt pride at being involved shines through on every page. She finds it amazing to be a small part of a legal system that is strong enough to underpin the values of our society and she tells us.
by Fabian Lord
I recently read ‘In Your Defence’ by Sarah Langford and was thoroughly impressed by the insight and compassion with which the author writes about the inner workings of the British criminal justice system. Langford is a barrister, and the book is a collection of anecdotes from her experiences representing clients in court.
One of the things I found most striking about the book is the way Langford humanises her clients, many of whom have been marginalised and mistreated by society. She shows a deep understanding of the complex social and personal factors that can lead someone to become embroiled in the criminal justice system. Langford writes with empathy and sensitivity about the struggles and triumphs of her clients.
Another thing I enjoyed about the book is the way Langford demystifies the legal process, explaining complex legal concepts and procedures in a way that is clear and accessible to the layperson. She also provides a candid look at the challenges and rewards of being a barrister, offering a unique perspective on the inner workings of the legal profession.
Overall, I would highly recommend ‘In Your Defence’ to anyone interested in the criminal justice system or looking for a thought-provoking read. Langford is clearly a talented writer and a compassionate advocate. (review by Monty Lord)