The Silk Brief

The Silk Tales #1

by John M. Burton

David Brant QC is a newly appointed Queen’s Counsel, a “Silk”, a Criminal Barrister struggling against ever-dwindling legal aid funds and a lack of work. His Chambers is also suffering internal and external pressures and his Senior Clerk seems to only serve a select few. Life at the Bar is more challenging than ever before. His personal life is not much better. Having faced an acrimonious divorce after an inadvisable liaison with a female Solicitor, his life has become a mixture of enforced rest and ever increasing consumption of Claret and Rioja Reserva.
However, after a night out with his Senior Clerk, he is instructed to defend in a Murder trial, leading one of the instructing solicitor’s firm’s In-House Barristers.
The client is a Mr Damien Clarke, a cocaine addict charged with killing a known associate, Usman Hussain, after a night of smoking crack together in Hussain’s flat.
The evidence against Damien appears almost overwhelming and as the case progresses towards trial it is strengthened by further forensic scientific evidence.
David Brant QC must use all his forensic skill to combat the array of damning evidence against Damien and to pit his wits against a highly competent Prosecutor and a Judge who has a personal dislike for him.
The Silk Brief takes us from before David Brant QC is instructed, through his early preparation of the case and conferences with the client in the High Security Belmarsh prison, through to the trial and verdict. It provides the day by day record of a murder trial including the examination and cross-examination of lay and expert witnesses, Counsel’s speeches, the Judges summing up and finally the jury’s deliberations and verdict.
Although a work of fiction, the author draws extensively on his knowledge of the Criminal Bar of England and Wales, having practiced as a Criminal Barrister for over thirty years, latterly as Queen’s Counsel, conducting many trials, including murder trials in the Central Criminal Court, known colloquially and fondly as “The Old Bailey”.

Genres: Law

399 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2012

About the author

Qualified as a Barrister (Advocate) in 1979. Practised as a Criminal Barrister ever since. Awarded Queen's Counsel (Silk) in 2010. Continues to conduct serious criminal work in the Courts including the Old Bailey in London.

Interests include reading; none fiction (mainly history from Ancient to modern times) and fiction (historical fiction, crime and other thrillers).

Passionate interest in history has resulted in writing and publishing four historical novels on Amazon. Two are based on the history of the Spartans, "The Myth of Sparta" and the Return of the Spartans". One deals with the first ever murder trial of the famous Roman orator, Cicero, called "Parricide".
The most recentis "the Trial of Admiral Byng" dealing with the siege of Minorca in 1756, Admiral Byng's sea battle of the shore and his subsequent court-martial. Also published two novels about a Queen's Counsel's conduct of murder trials, called, "the Silk Brief" and "the Silk Head"

Currently working on a sequel to, "the Silk Head".

Reviews

[Lee Holz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Silk Brief is a novel about an English barrister, a Queen’s Counsel, a so-called “Silk,” and of a murder trial in which he is lead lawyer for the defense. Author John Burton, Q.C. knows of whereof he writes, and his book, as well as being a well plotted, well written and highly enjoyable murder trial novel, is an education in the English criminal justice system, warts and all. The book introduces David Brant, Q.C., an accomplished criminal trial lawyer who, although no longer young and carrying a certain cynicism born of long experience, hasn’t lost his edge and dedication to his calling. There is also a fascinating subplot about the business of English criminal lawyers and the intrigues of the “Chambers” in which Brant practices. I hope further adventures of this Silk will be forthcoming from author Burton soon.

[Lord Kieran J D Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

A fantastic and funny look at the Life of advocacy and into the life of a silk. It gives an insight into the workings of Chambers and the lack of work for any silk.
A fantastic read and highly recommended for everybody!

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting in depth look at a QC at work on a murder case; written in a way that creates the impression the reader is involved throughout. Look forward to reading the next in the series

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is an astute observer and this came across in the book.

Some parts of the book I found very funny, though in some ways it was written in an almost dead-pan manner, but I found that quite endearing. I warmed to "David" and his "politeness" (an essential quality in that profession - a "Doc Martin" type would never succeed!!) and felt his pain at being taken advantage of in his Chambers and by the Government - yet another profession (Junior Doctors being the other) that politicians expect to work for nothing at times!!

I don't normally read many novels, but it was clear this book was based on the author's many years experience as a Barrister. However I wouldn't really class it as a "novel" as there was no real plot, but despite that I found the book engaging and I didn't skip any pages, and I was always interested to carry on reading to the end. I've always enjoyed courtroom sagas - I once wanted to be a Court Reporter many years ago but my shorthand speeds was never good enough! As a young teenager my father used to take me to Birmingham Crown Courts during his two weeks summer holiday to listen to murder cases - we would sit in the Public Gallery. My father enjoying the drama, and I found the whole court room scenario fascinating.

The book is written more as a diary than a novel - recording interesting daily life stuff, from what the barrister eats and drinks to where he takes a holiday! But I quite enjoyed those little details.

Another interesting thing I found is that the author is questioning about the police and their practices. I have found this to be true in real life - they are too quick to jump to conclusions and make the wrong charge/accusation. I was once called as a witness (to give a character reference) for someone who had been charged with GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) where in fact the charge should have been ABH (Actual Bodily Harm). Big difference! The Defendant was indeed guilty of ABH, we all knew it, but no way guilty of GBH. So the verdict was returned "Not Guilty" - thus by the police pushing for a charge beyond what the person was guilty of the victim was denied justice, and the guilty person got off scott free!! . It was good to see that these issues are raised by a Barrister in such "novels".

The book was in need of some good editing: use of capitals where not needed, use of quotation marks sometimes wrong, and more annoyingly for me (a bit of a pedant!) the wrong use of commas in some places!! However it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I am now reading the sequel "The Silk Head".

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story.
A young man turns up at his local police station, saying that he's witnessed a murder. He was visiting a friend, two other men were there, and they stabbed the tenant.
The police officer taking the young man's statement receives information during their chat. As a result, it's decided that the young man was responsible for the crime. The police investigation is flawed, a lot of the evidence is flawed, yet it still looks bad for the defendant.
Towards the end of the second week of the trial, the jury retire to consider their verdict. Discussions get heated, as the jurors voice their opinions on what has been heard in court. However, they come to a verdict and the case is over.
Just enough legal terminology, with brief (pardon the pun) explanations on their meaning, to enable the lay person understand the judicial system. Some of the narrative is in ordinary prose, but when the reader gets to the days of the trial in the Old Bailey, the writing style changes slightly to show the question and answer sessions that occur during the hearing.
I really enjoyed this book, and I'm seriously thinking of getting the next one in the series.

[Christine Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative in the main takes the form of court proceedings in a murder trial so this heavily weighs in the favour of the authors legal experience rather than his creative writing ability.
For myself I found it a bit lacklustre though I can imagine it is a true reflection of a barrister’s career

[Rowena Onions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I enjoyed this book overall, there were parts of it that were incredibly slow, particularly before the trial. I get the point that barristers don't necessarily earn a lot, but this point was made to the extent that I wanted to shout 'Stop whining '! I'll give the series another go in the hope that the author has got this out of his system!!

[Pam Strachan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me, this book. It is an accurate description of a trial and therefore tedious.
I read detective fiction to be gripped.
Gave up half way through.

[Sheila Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit of a slow start but once it got going great book. I'll read more in the series.

[Pete Loveday · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. The story unfolds as new Silk David Brant QC is bemoaning the lack of work as a QC and discusses the issue with the Chief Clerk of his Temple Lane Chambers, John Winston. By exerting some pressure David is given a murder brief.
Leading a lazy Junior, Charlotte Williams, together they build a defence for the accused, Damien Clarke.
This is a good plot with some interesting characters that all play their part very well. The trial is by far the most interesting part of the story and the skills of both the Prosecution, Joanna Glass QC and the Defence are on display. The reader is made to feel part of the Defence team.
However, the story is in many ways affected by an over supply of information regarding the English Legal system. A lot of fascinating, yet often superfluous detail took me away from the thrust of the story and this detracted from its appeal.
If David Brant is to progress further, he would be well advised to limit his red wine intake!
A comfortable read.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read, however some of the grammar was interesting, although that may be how it is in the profession. It also got a bit predictable at the end.