Rough Justice: Do we have the law we deserve?

Old Bailey judge Wendy Joseph KC's book, Rough Justice, explores four gripping stories from the court that raise questions about justice, the judicial process, and the need for improvement. The book offers a powerful and disturbing insight into the work of judges and the choices they face, comparing modern courtroom tales with similar cases from the past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2024
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd

Four gripping stories from the Old Bailey that force us to consider: What is justice? Do our legal courts dispense it? Has our judicial process improved, for the victims, the accused, and for society? And what more must be done to ensure genuine justice is carried out in future?

A compelling read

Lady Hale

‘Joseph is a deft deployer of suspense and nuance. Sunday Times

‘Her Honour entertains as she educates us. Philippa Perry

Beautifully written, immensely engaging, powerful, and disturbing insight into a judge's work and the choices faced.

Peter James

‘If ever I was on trial, I would want my judge to be this one.

Cherie Blair, CBE KC

Following on the heels of her bestseller Unlawful Killings, Old Bailey judge Wendy Joseph KC skilfully reconstructs courtroom dramas affecting society's most vulnerable, drawing on her many years of experience as a murder trial judge, and asking the key questions of the institutions tasked with delivering what is right and fair.

From the trial of a child charged with disposing of dismembered body parts, to the woman accused of killing her own husband, Joseph is utterly compelling as she sets out how our justice system works. But, as she compares these modern courtroom tales with eerily similar cases and miscarriages of justice from years ago, might the most chilling story of all be that the lessons of the past have yet to be learned?

Incisive, masterfully crafted, Rough Justice illuminates the struggles of any one of us caught up in our legal system – but particularly the marginalized and the easily exploited – and grapples with the concept of 'justice for all so that we might demand better.

'The author's wit and wisdom deserve as wide an audience as possible.

His Honour David Radford

‘An author who uses humour to illuminate the darker corners of the legal system.

A compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the justice system, Rough Justice by Wendy Joseph KC offers a powerful and disturbing insight into the trials and tribulations of those caught up in the legal system. Through four gripping stories, Joseph examines the concept of justice and challenges our assumptions about the legal process.

In the first story, a child is charged with disposing of dismembered body parts, raising questions about the age of criminal responsibility and the role of the justice system in protecting society's most vulnerable. Joseph's analysis of the case is insightful, and she highlights the struggles of the child and the legal system in navigating the complexities of the case.

The second story involves a woman accused of killing her own husband, a case that raises issues of domestic violence and the role of the legal system in addressing these issues. Joseph's portrayal of the woman and the legal process is nuanced and complex, and she explores the societal pressures and expectations that can lead to such tragedies.

The third story involves a man accused of murdering his wife, a case that raises questions about the nature of justice and the role of the legal system in delivering it. Joseph's analysis of the case is thorough, and she highlights the flaws in the legal system and the challenges faced by those accused of crimes.

The fourth story involves a woman accused of killing her own child, a case that raises questions about the limits. Joseph's portrayal of the woman and the legal process is harrowing

In conclusion, Rough Justice is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the justice system, offering a powerful and disturbing insight into the trials and tribulations of those caught up in the legal system. Through four gripping stories, Joseph examines the concept of justice and challenges our assumptions about the legal process. The book is well-written, well-researched, and well-structured, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the justice system and the struggles of those who are marginalized and easily exploited.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780857529671