This book, one of three (so far) written by a practising Barrister, should be compulsory reading for all trainee lawyers, Government Ministers, Newspaper editors, journalists and everyone who believes stories such as the one stating that an illegal immigrant was allowed to stay in the U.K. because he had a pet cat. That story, as shared by Theresa May, wasn’t true. The human in the case wasn’t an illegal immigrant, he was a Bolivian student, in a four year relationship with a U.K. national, who happened to have a cat. He (the student, not the cat) was seeking leave to remain at the end of his course. All quite legal,  but hardly headline grabbing.

And what of the huge sums alleged to be spent on legal representation for those charged with domestic violence or sexual assault? Casting aside the notion of “innocent until proved guilty”, the alternative would be to permit the accused to question, even potentially coerce, his victim in Court.

Then there are the headlines guaranteed to stir up anger, those suggesting “offenders handed £100,000 to fight [insert offence] in Court”. Of course they aren’t given that amount of money or, indeed, any money. It goes to solicitors or barristers, not into the pockets of the accused.

Lest you think this book might have a political bias, rest assured, the author is an equal opportunity analyst of all those false statements and hysterical cries calling for an end to anything likely to make a good, but basically untrue, headline or political statement.

Far from a dry account of how the law is enacted, this is a well researched, readable and thought-provoking book reminding us all not to believe everything we see in the newspaper or read on social media.

A really worthwhile read.