Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer by Mansfield, Michael (2010) Paperback

by Michael Manfield

Michael Mansfield, QC, is Britain's most high-profile defence lawyer, whose unparalleled commitment to his clients and radical approach to forensics, evidence and disclosure have made him a scourge of the establishment and a champion of the individual in many miscarriages of justice cases. Passionate about unveiling corruption and unafraid to challenge received wisdom, he has taken on many of the most controversial cases of our times, including the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, Angela Cannings, Jill Dando and Barry George, Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana, Stephen Lawrence, Arthur Scargill and the miners and, most recently, the tragic death of Jean Charles de Menezes. Dissecting these cases with incisive intelligence, subtlety and humour, and interspersing revealing personal reminiscences he offers a fascinating insight into the idiosyncrasies of the English legal system and how it has changed from the late 1960s to the present.

Genres: Law, Biography, Nonfiction, Legal, Memoir, Autobiography

Paperback

First published September 7, 2009

Reviews

[Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may not agree with all of Mr Mansfield's point of views but there is no doubt that the man is an inspiration. He has the courage to speak up for people, a curiosity to learn and is the biggest example I have seen as to how we can, with a little conviction and determination, bring about change for the better.

His commentary on forensic science as it has evolved over time is fascinating, and he will never be able to say he has lived in uninteresting times having worked on cases ranging from Bloody Sunday to the De Menezes case and the Diana/Dodi inquest.

He clearly has a distinct mistrust of the police - there is nothing unequivocal on this point, and given his experiences, you get a flavour of why. It makes you question the order of things around us day to day which we take for granted and as a well-run and well-oiled machine.

A truly educational and inspirational read and not just for lawyers - for anyone interested in politics, world order and fairness.

[Gerald Sinstadt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Mansfield is not just a highly successful QC, he is a vigorous campaigner, espousing all manner of human rights issues. His basic stance is left wing but his ultimate commitment to the cause of justice. His belief in the rule of law is paramount but that does not deter him from exressing trenchant criticisms of our system and some of those who administer it.

From the Birmingham Six to the Stephen Lawrence murder to the Bloody Sunday massacre, there have been few high profile trials or enquiries in which Mansfield's services were not invoked. His book considers many cases in which justice eventually was - or was not - achieved. His opposition to the death penalty is argued with deeo conviction. He has served oo war crimes hearings in The Hague ad has taken up the cause of Palestinians in the Middle East.

At the end of a long, thoughtful and passionate book, the reader will be left with a sense of a judicial system that warrants continual scrutiny but which, despite its flaws, is mostly an ally to the innocent and a scourge of the guilty.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book! Many highlights so far, but the chapter on the Bloody Sunday inquiry was incredibly moving. It really opens your eyes to the failures of the British legal system.

[Stephen Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating look at many important cases of the last 40 years, marred only slightly by the author's clearly gigantic ego.

[C.Y. Chong · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting case studies, gives an insight into legal cases from another angle.

[Jessica Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me. Mansfield QC is a British defence lawyer. He is focused on justice, developing forensic science in court and discusses issues with the English legal system. He was worked on a number of high-profile cases and his discussions of them are thought-provoking. In particular Bloody Sunday Inquiry, Angela Cannings, Jill Dando and Barry George, Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana, Stephen Lawrence, Arthur Scargill and the miners, and Jean Charles de Menezes. I found the discussion of the miners to be of particular interest as I was not that familiar with the issues for miners in the UK. Further, from a research perspective I found Mansfield’s discussion of forensic evidence and its use and development informative to providing some context to the UK system I was not aware of.

[Debbi Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book that took me forever to finish as I kept googling all the cases he has covered. You don't have to be interested in the letter of the law to engage with this book, if you are keen on human rights and justice being served then read this book.

[Jonathan Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who is interested in the judicial process, in the UK, and internationally. It exposes the strengths and the frailties of the legal process, and leaves the reader with a sense that, despite all its achievements, much has yet to be done to ensure that the legal system is fair and even.

[Rich Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting if dry read. I regard this man as a hero for the work he has performed and the changes he has been influential in bringing to the British legal system.

[Martin Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The memoirs of a brilliant, opinionated and principled lawyer. Michael Mansfield gives detailed insights in to a number of high profile cases and his roles in them

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his memoirs, high-profile defense attorney Michael Mansfield tells the stories of his most (in)famous cases and clients. From his defense of Irish clients charged with terrorism offenses in the midst of the "Troubles" to his involvement in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, the inquest into the death of Princess Diana, the murder of Stephen Lawrence and riots in British prisons, Mansfield has a lot to tell. Someone who has been at the center of some of the most dramatic courtroom thrillers in recent British history, Mansfield is remarkable in how he focuses on the cases rather than himself. He doesn't tell you how great his work is and how worthy his cause. He lets the facts speak and humanizes his clients. The complex cases with all their gripping details don't fit into 450 pages easily, and sometimes the reader is left with an appetite for more information. Nevertheless, this is a well-crafted collection of fascinating court cases, and a vital reminder that even in a democracy, justice can go terribly wrong sometimes.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was tough going, I probably should have read thus alongside something lighter but I was worried I wouldn't finish it in time for book club.

A difficult book to like, I wasn't a fan of the style Mansfield used, the pop culture references were a bit unnecessary and the book as a whole left me feeling like he was a bit too smug.

Personality aside the cases themselves are obviously very interesting. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about the miners strike and Bloody Sunday inquests.

For me the book worked best when it covered a case in detail rather than using examples of many cases to make a point about the problems of evidence.

If you can stick with it, the book is certainly worth a read.

[Eilymay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. He gives a really good insight into some of the biggest cases in British legal history. But it wasn't his descriptions of the Birmingham Six case or the Princess Diana inquest that made me sit up and take notice but his way at looking at forensic evidence. Probably due to my earlier obsession with CSI I thought that DNA evidence etc was infallible when when you think about it it really isn't. This book is thought-provoking and interesting - but probably only if you are a bit of a law nerd like me :)

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part a fascinating canter through some of the most notorious miscarriages of British justice through the 70s, 80s and 90s. Michael Mansfield has defended them all and is a inspiring and principled man but with this comes quite a dash of self importance which made this a slightly less satisfying read that it might have been.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides an interesting insight into the criminal justice system with examples historic/landmark cases to boot !!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am of the era that I remembered most of the cases covered in the book. It was very interesting to read about them from Mr Mansfield's perspective.

[Adebayo Oyagbola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Very lucid prose. A must read for all who wish to appreciate the extremism of the Thatcher years.

[Nick Ayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love this book. Great bloke.