Fathers In Law

by Henry Cecil

What rights does a natural father have in an adoption case? How does the court decide between the conflicting claims of each parent? In many ways this is a heart-rending story as Henry Cecil steers us through labyrinth of adoption law but tension is relieved by his touches of humour right through to the unexpected outcome.

Genres: Humor

244 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2000

About the author

Henry Cecil Leon (19 September 1902 – 23 May 1976), who wrote under the pen-names Henry Cecil and Clifford Maxwell, was a judge and a writer of fiction about the British legal system. He was born near London in 1902 and was called to the Bar in 1923. Later in 1949 he was appointed a County Court Judge, a position he held until 1967. He used these experiences as inspiration for his work. His books are works of great comic genius with unpredictable twists of plot, but are not intended to be realistic or strong on characterization. They typically feature educated and genteel fraudsters and blackmailers who lay ludicrously ingenious plots exploiting loopholes in the legal system. There are several recurring characters, such as the drunken solicitor Mr Tewkesbury and the convoluted and exasperating witness Colonel Brain. He writes well about the judicial process, usually through the eyes of a young barrister but sometimes from the viewpoint of the judge; Daughters in Law contains a memorable snub from a County Court judge to a barrister who is trying to patronise him.

His 1955 novel Brothers in Law was made into a film in 1957 and, later, a television and radio series starring Richard Briers. While at Paramount Pictures, Alfred Hitchcock worked on adapting No Bail for the Judge for the screen several times between 1954 and 1960, and hoped to co-star Audrey Hepburn, Laurence Harvey, and John Williams, but the film was never produced.

Reviews

[Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fathers-in-Law was another of my ‘theme’ reads in April. Henry Cecil’s novels usually have issues related to the law (from murder to blackmail to also the more mundane things) but presented always in a humorous tone, and focused on loopholes and absurdities, and with their share of eccentric characters. In April in fact, I did a little author profile on him and his works for my blog: https://potpourri2015.wordpress.com/2...

Fathers-in-Law was the eleventh book by him that I read (not counting his autobiography), and the story in this one is concerned with English adoption law (in the 1960s, when this was written―not sure how things stand now). A childless couple Mary and Bill Woodthorpe adopt baby Hugh, the natural mother having claimed that the father knows nothing about him, and probably does not want him. To speed up the adoption process (as Mary is so desperate to do), their lawyer makes sure the case is heard by a milder judge (not one who cuts corners, but who doesn’t insist on prolonged inquiries which often prove unnecessary) and while that fetches them what they want in the shorter run, in the long run, this turns out to spell trouble. Not only are they targeted by a blackmailer, who they, with the police, manage to deal with quite cleverly (not before a few missteps), some years down the line, it turns out that the natural father wasn’t unaware of the child but loved him very much, and the reason the mother gave him up was the father was in prison on a fairly serious conviction. His claims of innocence are however, suddenly proved true, and now out of jail, he wants his child back. So begins a new legal battle between the Woodthorpes and the natural parents, both sides genuinely loving the child and both sides having merits in their claims. So who gets little Hugh?

This book was as Cecil’s others written with humour pretty much throughout but with its theme, it does feel somewhat ‘heavier’ than Cecil’s other books. Both Mary and Hugh’s natural father, Randolph are very deeply attached to the child, much more so than their respective spouses/partners, and one can’t help but feel for both as one or the other is sure to be hurt by the outcome whichever way the matter goes. It doesn’t help that one takes to all of the characters (except perhaps the blackmailer), and all of them, with the said exception, behave decently throughout. But, the path to getting there has its moments of laughter, including the testimonies and cross-examinations in court (particularly of the ‘experts’). I tried to think of the wildest solution to the whole matter that came to mind, and well, that wasn’t what happened but the solution that the judge reached at the end I thought was probably the most sensible one, and while the party that didn’t get the child would have been disappointed, in the long run, things would have improved for them, if things play out the way the judge predicts they would. The book certainly did keep me reading to find out how it would end, which made it an enjoyable, even if not entirely the light read that I’d expected.

[Nira Ramachandran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favourites, but still worth reading, even if just to get a glimpse of the twists and turns of adoption law in England. The cross examination of the expert witnesses adds a bit of humour, the expertise of the women barristers, a rarity at the time, brings accolades from the Judge, himself. And the ending does not disappoint, as it is so logically thought out and explained.

[Athul Domichen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book and read because of an e-mail which I reread after 7 years- the mail was by Sukumaran Sir, my teacher at START. He had recommended to me some authors to read at the time, seeing my writing style in an article. The authors he recommended were PG Wodehouse, Henry Cecil and Robert Branson. Even though Henry Cecil is supposed to be humour writer, 'Fathers in Law' wasn't that humourous. The story was packed with varied emotions, yes, but what prevailed over humour was sadness and anxiety about what is justice, given the circumstances. The author, being a judge himself, is speaking from things that he has observed in his career, and he has done it quite well. The claim on the child (Hugh) was equal for both the parents, and the book has a great, all-pleasing end. While you read the novel, the case troubles your mind too, as to what fair treatment is, when you have gone through so much of unfairness already. Will I buy another book of Henry Cecil, maybe, maybe not. But, I wouldn't say no to his works if I come across something though.

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the vague inkling of a memory is right this one proceeds from Inlaws and Outlaws further, with the couple going ahead and meeting various relatives, and more legal fracas and much hilarity.