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secre's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Sarah Langford offers the reader eleven cases that she has worked on in her time as a barrister. The cases are wide and varied; she isn't specialising in one type of case at all. The cases span from burglary to 'cottaging' or gross indecency, from parental disputes about where a child should live to cases where the state is petitioning to remove a child from a parent's care. From an abuse victim trying to keep her child from her abuser to two kids trying to cover for their mother's drug dealing, to a young man found with images of child paedophilia in droves.
It's compellingly written, clear and concise yet with a knack for story telling. Some of the cases are eye opening, some heart wrenching and in so many you see a system that is struggling to cope with the case load and people being failed. This was never clearer than in the case of Maggie, a mother who'd had one child removed from her care and was desperate to do anything to keep her second child. Langford doesn't pull her punches, critiquing the social care system that is quick to judge and remove children rather than spending the time to help the parent learn and grow. She notes that the local authorities are all too willing to spend money on experts to prove that the parent can't parent, yet won't spend a fraction of the amount in trying to help them learn to do so. And in cases like Maggie's, it results in parents having multiple children back to back, only for them all to be taken by the state because nobody cared enough to teach them basic life skills.
Langford is equally scathing of how the justice system treats people like cogs; such as in the cottaging case, where the accused requested a private hearing only to be denied because of accountability and public interest. But with such sensitive cases, the burden on the accused from the accusation alone may be enough to break them if put in the public sphere. It's eye-opening and heart-breaking both. There's also an edge of humour at times and a glimpse into some of the darker realities Langford has crossed paths with; sometimes people in the wrong place at the wrong time. Other times, people who are so far into the rut of their own cyclic behaviour that it seems nothing will shake them.
All in all, an eye-opening and enlightening read that's accessible and worth reading.
It's compellingly written, clear and concise yet with a knack for story telling. Some of the cases are eye opening, some heart wrenching and in so many you see a system that is struggling to cope with the case load and people being failed. This was never clearer than in the case of Maggie, a mother who'd had one child removed from her care and was desperate to do anything to keep her second child. Langford doesn't pull her punches, critiquing the social care system that is quick to judge and remove children rather than spending the time to help the parent learn and grow. She notes that the local authorities are all too willing to spend money on experts to prove that the parent can't parent, yet won't spend a fraction of the amount in trying to help them learn to do so. And in cases like Maggie's, it results in parents having multiple children back to back, only for them all to be taken by the state because nobody cared enough to teach them basic life skills.
Langford is equally scathing of how the justice system treats people like cogs; such as in the cottaging case, where the accused requested a private hearing only to be denied because of accountability and public interest. But with such sensitive cases, the burden on the accused from the accusation alone may be enough to break them if put in the public sphere. It's eye-opening and heart-breaking both. There's also an edge of humour at times and a glimpse into some of the darker realities Langford has crossed paths with; sometimes people in the wrong place at the wrong time. Other times, people who are so far into the rut of their own cyclic behaviour that it seems nothing will shake them.
All in all, an eye-opening and enlightening read that's accessible and worth reading.
proseamongstthorns's review
informative
3.0
I enjoyed this. It was an interesting insight into life as a lawyer and the work that goes into it. But I almost wanted more time with each case and more detail, although I understand why that couldn’t happen.
dulcie's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the human aspect, loved the story telling, loved the empathy the author had for her clients. I would have liked it to be a bit more political, especially at the end.
05hamiltonk's review
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I found this book fascinating and depressing in equal measure. Of course our legal aid and criminal 'justice' system's are so fucked.
Also how two people who choose to parent together can do such a 360 and despise each other so much. It's absolutely beyond me but it is also so common. It's bizarre. The family courts sound horrific.
Also how two people who choose to parent together can do such a 360 and despise each other so much. It's absolutely beyond me but it is also so common. It's bizarre. The family courts sound horrific.
a_blades's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
this was really informative! i went into this preferring criminal law, but now feel more interested by civil and family law - i can’t wait to learn more about it
noellefraser's review against another edition
4.0
A great book. Every single of Sarah‘s cases was interesting and gripping.
Especially well done regarding writing style. Even though it is based on real cases, it reads like a story
you don‘t want to put down.
Especially well done regarding writing style. Even though it is based on real cases, it reads like a story
you don‘t want to put down.
nickymaund's review against another edition
5.0
This a fascinating glimpse into the life of a barrister, told by the barrister herself, Langford. Each chapter covers one individual case and it’s related piece of legislation. But it’s more than that. Langford also gives you backstory to the individuals behind each case, or events going on in her own life at the time. It makes the stories she’s telling more relatable and engaging, particularly as she comments on societies expectations, the behaviour of some of her clients and the way the judicial system operates.
Some of the cases are heartbreaking and some frustrating as Langford relates her clients’ stories and behaviour. It was also eye opening as you learn about the nomadic lifestyle of barristers as they travel around various towns and cities.
Bailey also does a great job on narration duties! A recommended listen/read.
Some of the cases are heartbreaking and some frustrating as Langford relates her clients’ stories and behaviour. It was also eye opening as you learn about the nomadic lifestyle of barristers as they travel around various towns and cities.
Bailey also does a great job on narration duties! A recommended listen/read.