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Book review: Second Helpings

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
28 January 2022 / Alec Samuels
Issue: 7964 / Categories: Features , Profession , In Court
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"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

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