- Hardcover: 432 pages
- Publisher: Chatto & Windus; illustrated edition edition (26 Feb 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0701163488
- ISBN-13: 978-0701163488
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.8 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
272,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #33 in Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Australia & New Zealand
- #73 in Books > Biography > Medical, Legal & Social Sciences > Legal
The Justice Game
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
As a young Australian barrister, Robertson found himself involved in the Oz trial; a frothingly moralistic judge went to some lengths to jail three editors of an underground magazine, and was duly humiliated on appeal. Success leads to opportunity; Robertson has found himself at the heart of a sequence of crucial freedom of expression trials--the Gay Newsblasphemy trial, the attempt to bust the National theatre over a play in which male rape took place, the arrest of a painter whose chosen subject was bank notes. His account of his career concentrates on these, and on his own entire brilliance in them; he is not a modest man, nor is there any particular reason why he should be, especially given how sharp and witty his accounts are. Robertson has also been involved in other causes cèlebres--he knows all about the Michael X case, and a variety of other capital cases in the Caribbean, and is fascinating on the Matrix Churchill case and the various libel actions around the "cash for questions" sleaze row. Anyone interested in the issues is going to find this a useful book--but the average intelligent reader is going to find the account of courtroom battles a guilty pleasure in itself. --Roz Kaveney
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
The memoirs of one of the most radical and controversial lawyers of our time - a colourful, passionate and truly sensational account of some of the key legal cases of the last 30 years.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In this excellent book, Geoffrey Robertson QC gives a very informative and enjoyable account of some of the cases he has dealt with during his carrier at the Bar, spanning, at the time of the publication of his book, over three decades. These included a number of various topics: defamation cases, blasphemy and/or indecency trials, public enquiries as well as human rights missions and death row work.
The book is thrilling, at times it reads like the best detective stories, the accounts given of court proceedings and the anecdotes are often hilarious. Certainly, no prior knowledge of the law is required to enjoy his stories; however, those trained in law will find it especially interesting to see how some of the fundamental tenets of English law (such as the presumption of innocence or the impartiality of the judge) can go pear-shaped in practice.
Most importantly, however, Robertson QC is prepared to take a clear moral stance on human rights and civil liberties and to criticise or defend the law from this viewpoint. He emphasises that, as a member of the legal profession, he does have to abide by certain rules and has certain duties and does not accept anything less from others when engaging in the "justice game".
The book should be recommended to those interested in current affairs, legal issues as well as to those simply enjoying fascinating books telling the story of a person's professional life.
Dan Tivadar
The book is thrilling, at times it reads like the best detective stories, the accounts given of court proceedings and the anecdotes are often hilarious. Certainly, no prior knowledge of the law is required to enjoy his stories; however, those trained in law will find it especially interesting to see how some of the fundamental tenets of English law (such as the presumption of innocence or the impartiality of the judge) can go pear-shaped in practice.
Most importantly, however, Robertson QC is prepared to take a clear moral stance on human rights and civil liberties and to criticise or defend the law from this viewpoint. He emphasises that, as a member of the legal profession, he does have to abide by certain rules and has certain duties and does not accept anything less from others when engaging in the "justice game".
The book should be recommended to those interested in current affairs, legal issues as well as to those simply enjoying fascinating books telling the story of a person's professional life.
Dan Tivadar
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book when I received it as a gift. Fearing another in the series of books about the law which have proved to be mere self-serving rants taking large bites out of the hands that feed their progenitors, I actually lined up a couple of books of short stories to read between chapters or when I got too annoyed. Instead, I was delighted and absorbed. Robertson celebrates the legal system and shows how it is not the system that fails us but those who endeavour to cheat it. Justice is a "game" in the sense that if everyone plays by the rules, the right side will win. For someone of his profession and profile, Robertson is relatively self-effacing, in the context of what must have been considerable temptation to sound his own horn. And the cases are fascinating, and beautifully told. Most inspiring of all is the strong sense of justice, and above all, ethics, which pervades every aspect of his prose. Robertson clearly believes that the end does not justify the means, and that if rules are broken, in both the long and short term it is justice which suffers. Sometime the erosion of ethical standards makes me want to leave the law. This book makes me want to stay. Mr Robertson, you wouldn't be looking for a pupil, would you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Renowned Queen's Council Geoffrey Robertson, most recently seen defending WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has written an amusing, insightful and passionate book on some of the more notable cases he has been intimately involved with.
Lady Diana, Matrix Churchill, the Oz trial and defending The Guardian newspaper against Neil Hamilton MP are just some of the headline-making stories that Robertson throws some personal light on. He shares what draws him to each case and how he analyses it; how events play out in court and the legal and civic ramifications - each episode given a personal slant from a witty and perceptive writer.
Geoffrey Robertson QC both condemns and celebrates the game of justice and values it primarily as a force for the individual to challenge the state, whether that be freedom of expression of a controversial artist, the battle against secretive intelligence agencies or at the most extreme end of the scale, someone challenging the death penalty.
No prior understanding of the English legal system is required as Robertson writes clearly, avoiding the restricted code of legalese. He articulates the importance of having evidence and accusations tested in the most robust, adversarial fashion, a right that is simply too important to give away, even under threat by the state's monster du jour, terrorism. In all, a fascinating read from a man who has been at the centre of legal cases of national importance for over thirty five years.
Lady Diana, Matrix Churchill, the Oz trial and defending The Guardian newspaper against Neil Hamilton MP are just some of the headline-making stories that Robertson throws some personal light on. He shares what draws him to each case and how he analyses it; how events play out in court and the legal and civic ramifications - each episode given a personal slant from a witty and perceptive writer.
Geoffrey Robertson QC both condemns and celebrates the game of justice and values it primarily as a force for the individual to challenge the state, whether that be freedom of expression of a controversial artist, the battle against secretive intelligence agencies or at the most extreme end of the scale, someone challenging the death penalty.
No prior understanding of the English legal system is required as Robertson writes clearly, avoiding the restricted code of legalese. He articulates the importance of having evidence and accusations tested in the most robust, adversarial fashion, a right that is simply too important to give away, even under threat by the state's monster du jour, terrorism. In all, a fascinating read from a man who has been at the centre of legal cases of national importance for over thirty five years.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Justice Game
When one of our most esteemed QCs calls justice a game it's clear the jig is up and we are in trouble. Or just maybe not if in fact it's always been that way. Read more
Published 23 months ago by demola
Essential reading for civil libertarians
This is a well-written, fascinating book. Geoffrey Robertson QC is a dominant figure in the fight against violations of human rights and civil liberties. Read more
Published 23 months ago by David M. Sloan
the justice game
absolutley brilliant, a great read for those who desire, seek , need justice...and also want to know why its sometimes fails..
Published on 8 July 2009 by Mr. J. Garrard
Illuminating
An excellent book. As someone with no particular knowledge of the law, this was a most enjoyable recount of the criminal side of the justice system. Read more
Published on 8 May 2009 by Dancer
Excellent memoir/meditation on law
This excellent book is many things -- a gripping memoir of legal battles for civil liberties and a meditation on the nature of law, litigation, and the role of the judiciary in... Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2001
Legal stories everyone must know
I approached this book with a predisposition to dislike. The blurb on the back suggested that the only law that matters is that which involves human rights (ie, criminal and... Read more
Published on 30 Jun 1999
Enthralling, easy reading story of major courtroom battles
Geoffrey Robertson has defended many freedoms in his career with the law, including Oz obscenity trial, Matrixx Churchill trial. Read more
Published on 27 May 1999
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