header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us

A real-life Sherlock Holmes

© Copyright LexisNexis 2025. All Rights Reserved.
13 September 2024 / Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC
Issue: 8085 / Categories: Features , Criminal
printer mail-detail
188811
Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC reflects on the case of George Edalji & its consequences

A recent TV programme about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle reminded us that the creator of Sherlock Holmes once played the detective in real life. He was so outraged by what he believed to be the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of a young solicitor that he investigated the case himself.

The vicar’s son

George Edalji was the elder son of the vicar of St Mark’s parish church in the Staffordshire village of Great Wyrley. Rev Shapurji Edalji had been brought up as a Parsee in India, converted to Christianity, and gained entry to a theological college in England. In 1875, having married the niece of a former vicar, he settled in Great Wyrley with his wife and two sons. He remained there until his death in 1918.

Great Wyrley was a mining village surrounded by farmland. There George grew up, went to school and, after securing articles in Birmingham, qualified as a solicitor. He continued to live

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

Kate Gaskell, CEO of Flex Legal, reflects on chasing her childhood dreams underscores the importance of welcoming those from all backgrounds into the profession

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dispute resolution team welcomes associate in London

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Special education needs and mental capacity expert joins as partner

NEWS
Read All
Human rights concerns for patients, prisoners & immigration detainees
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Licensing fast-track for conveyancing & probate professionals
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Stress at work? Join the (employment tribunal claim) queue
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
NLJ this week: Cross-UK precedent, umbrella companies & whistleblowing liability
In NLJ this week, Ian Smith, emeritus professor at UEA, explores major developments in employment law from the Supreme Court and appellate courts
NLJ this week: Assignment of arbitral award enforcement blocked
Writing in NLJ this week, Kamran Rehman and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper examine Operafund Eco-Invest SICAV plc v Spain, where the Commercial Court held that ICSID and Energy Charter Treaty awards cannot be assigned
Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll