Member Review

Kept me guessing till the end.

DI Grant Cliveden collapsed and died while giving evidence in court. It turns out that he was murdered by the Botulinum poison being added to a drink.

Tony Jones, Chief Clerk of Stag Court calls KC Jonathan Taylor-Cameron and his pupil Adam Green away from a cocktail party at chambers to hand them the file on the murder of Grant Cliveden. They will defend Jimmy Knight who was arrested shortly after Cliveden’s murder. Jonathan Taylor-Cameron is horrified that he is to defend the accused, especially as it’s a legal-aid case. Adam Green has no such airs and graces; he believes in justice for all and as a result grows close to Jimmy Knight because he is sure that he is hiding some vital evidence that might prove he’s not guilty.

The storyline is brilliant on so many levels. First, there are the pupils, Adam and Georgina Devereaux vying for a place at Stag Court. They both have much to prove in their six-month pupillage. There are the King’s Counsel who have all attended the best schools and been barristers for years. These barristers all have extremely high opinions of themselves and don’t suffer pupils’ questions gladly, making both Adam and Georgina realise that to gain a position at the Stag Court is going to be a very tough battle.

I had no idea how new barristers got selected and found the information that Rob Rinder has included here fascinating. They’re allowed to do many of the menial cases for their pupil masters, however, when working on a big case like this – defending the suspected killer of Cliveden, they are supposed to be “seen but not heard” – which goes against everything Adam feels is fair justice.

Rob Rinder thank you for enlightening me on how barristers’ chambers work and how hard it is for new solicitors to be accepted and trained into becoming King’s Counsel.

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.