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28 January 2022 / Alec Samuels
Issue: 7964 / Categories: Features , Profession , In Court
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Book review: Second Helpings

"Lord Brown has clear views on the law and the legal institutions"

Author: Simon Brown

Publisher: Marble Hill Publishers Ltd

ISBN: 9781838303617

RRP: £18


Simon Brown is one of those exceptionally gifted people who confidently, positively and relaxedly get on with life and make a success of it: Bar, Treasury Counsel, Judge, Lord Justice, Justice of the Supreme Court. His text is simple, lucid, readable, but full of subtlety; and rich in anecdotes and self-deprecating stories—this is a second volume of memoirs, following the success of the first, Playing off the Roof & Other Stories. Many colleagues are mentioned, familiar names in the law, but always gently and with discretion.

Lord Brown has clear views on the law and the legal institutions. Naturally advocacy, best learned by watching and listening, is discussed. The greatly diminished role of the Lord Chancellor is much regretted. The Supreme Court should be reduced to nine members, sitting en banc (presumably with a reduced docket), carrying more authority. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council should be abolished. The role of the dissenting judgment may need consideration,

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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