Reviewed by: David Pickup
Author: Graeme Williams
Publisher: Wildy, Simmonds & Hill Publishing
ISBN: 1 898029 86 5
Price: £14.95

Legal reminiscences are sometimes fairly dull but this is a delightful and readable account of the old assizes and quarter sessions system that held sway until 1972. It is written with particular reference to Oxford and the personalities who learnt their trade and practised there.

I was unaware until reading this book that it was a certain Lord Beeching who was behind the abolition of the assize system, one which had done good service for generations. Beeching was the man who rationalised (or butchered - depending on your point of view) the railways.

Williams has written a splendidly chatty and gossipy book, containing many funny anecdotes about the characters that filled the courts and benches of a sadly bygone age. There are accounts of 'circuit indictments', which were mock trials of members of the bar for transgressions such as blowing a trumpet contrary to the Steam Whistles Act. Many of these characters are still remembered by those who have practised in the former car factory that now houses the Oxford courts. Apparently when the first person was acquitted at one court, a certain judge’s portrait fell off the wall.

This tale is relevant now because we live in another age of administrators looking for efficiencies and things to ‘rationalise’. Tradition and heritage are thrown away on the bonfire of cost saving. We are now being told that one magistrates’ bench will be sufficient for a county and local courts are being closed down everywhere: forcing defendants, witnesses and professionals to make long journeys, if they turn up at all.

The old court buildings are threatened with closure as they do not meet present health and safety standards. If they are lucky they will turned into wine bars - if not they will be left to rot or become occasional film and TV sets or unvisited museums. This is a good read to take with you and look at quietly while waiting for your case to come up in the latest characterless, prefabricated and soulless building and hoping your client has bothered to make the journey across the county.

Topics