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Justice on Trial

Radical Solutions for a System at Breaking Point

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Justice on Trial

By: Chris Daw
Narrated by: Chris Daw
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents Justice on Trial written and read by Chris Daw QC.

'Chris is a powerful force for good in the national debate on criminal justice.' –The Secret Barrister

'Extraordinary' – Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Chris Daw QC has been practising criminal law for over 25 years, navigating Britain’s fractured justice system from within. He has looked into the eyes of murderers, acted for notorious criminals, and listened to the tangled tales woven by fraudsters, money launderers and drug barons. Yet his work takes place at the heart of a system at breaking point – one which is failing perpetrators, victims and society – and now he is convinced that something must change.

Drawing on case histories and global reporting, and published with a new afterword on law in the global pandemic, Justice on Trial presents a radical set of solutions for crime and punishment. By turns shocking, moving and pragmatic, Daw’s account offers rare inside access to a system in crisis and a roadmap to a future beyond the binary of good and evil.

Updated with a new afterword on law and the global pandemic.

©2020 Chris Daw QC (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Crime Law Politics & Government Thought-Provoking Social Policy

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This is my first time listening to an Audiobook in full, I couldn't stop listening.

Chris Daw has highlighted deep-rooted flaws in our common views and implementation of Criminal Justice. I hope his ideas and observations receive the due consideration they deserve, and that those who support the system as it stands are able to gain new insight from Chris's extensive experience and expertise.

As a narrator, Chris has a most pleasing tone which captivates the listener and brings each case to life, as the listener hangs on his every word.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Thank you Chris.

Outstanding Listen

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This examination of the way British Justice is administered is shocking and life changing. Step by step Chris Daw QC takes the system apart and suggests far more effective ways to put it back together again. What you get6 is a compelling argument for a complete overhaul of an outdated, outmoded and utterly unsuitable justice system.

Daw regularly makes comparisons between the UK and US system and his argument against the UK going down the same route as the Americans is brutally honest and terrifying. The United States is a shambles when it comes to administering justice and its prison population is now the equivalent to one of the largest cities in the country. American justice serves no one but corrupt or power hungry politicians and self service corporations who keep the system going for personal gain.

This is a book everyone needs to read. And in the Covid era - and whenever we emerge from it - its ideas and philosophy will prove more important.

On the performance side, Daw is a Barrister not a voice over artist but his delivery is honest and very easy to listen to. I played my audio version at 1.5x normal speed. It works really well.

EYE OPENING AND LIFE CHANGING

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I had the pleasure of meeting the author and was intrigued to listen to his book even though it’s not a topic I would normally look to read about. I couldn’t stop listening to it, even put it on at 3am as I wanted to know what happened in the cases. There were some very sad cases which make you think about criminals differently. Really changed my opinions of the legal system and what justice means and how it should be achieved. I always prefer when an author reads their book when they can, and this was delivered brilliantly. Would recommend.

Fascinating

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Enjoyed Chris narrating his own book , informative n the law , maybe more stories would have been nice but still really enjoyed

Very informative

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This book is provides a compelling and logical insight into the “justice” system and its key failings which are described along with great stories to underline these failings.

Justice at present is a misnomer and Chris provides a fresh look into how the system needs to be aligned with the name. Crime and punishment cannot continue to be measured and delivered as they currently are and Chris sets out how to start addressing this.

Highly recommended.

Compelling and startling insight into a failed system. Excellent ideas for change.

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A well-written, thought-provoking book whose premise I fully support. However, the reality of implementing meaningful change is remote. The reason is simple, unless we implement fundamental economic reform, which changes the underlying philosophy by which we run our economy, and thus society, change to our judicial system will not occur.

Our Free Market economy sets up the circumstances which perpetuate these adverse and perverse outcomes. Free market economies strive to reduce the size of government and thus their ability to provide adequate social support in its myriad forms. It also strives to outsource government functions (such as prison services), so it is in private enterprise’s interest to increase, not reduce, prison populations. Therefore, before you attempt to change the judicial system, change the economic situation.

Much of the reform Chris refers to has taken place in countries with large (relative) governments using progressive tax systems to fund these schemes. Until we adopt a similar social market economy where common good is the central theme of our endeavours rather than the self-interest of Free Markets, I’m afraid Chris is barking at the moon.

Essential change, but unlikely to happen.

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I approached this book with some scepticism but the author brilliantly provides evidence to make me pause, reflect and in some cases change my opinions on the value of the prison system.

I’m not entirely won over but the approach to the criminalisation of drugs is worthy of a national debate.

The challenge of preconceptions

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if there were more C Daw we would certainly live in a more empathetic , rational and honest world and not just that one of applied justice.

One easy listening of great interest

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I have nearly finished this in just a few days.

It is refreshing, honest, true, inspiring, fresh, compelling, apathetic, understanding, and bloody brilliant.

Whatever walk of the path of life you are currently on - stop and listen/read this book.

I do not disagree with any of what is said infact the opposite, I fully AGREE with everything proposed - as someone who left the criminal bar disheartened about recent events - thank goodness for this book. Finally, someone has come forward and told the world what it needed to wake up and hear.

They don't make you a QC for any reason - and it really does show in this book - Chris, the criminal bar professional, lawyers, musicians, writers, politicians all thank you for making your professional knowledge accessible. EVERYONE NEEDS TO ACCESS THIS GOLD. How fantastic. Now thankfully everybody can access the law, how it got here, why it is here and why ultimately we are in trouble if we don't all raise our voices, open our hearts and minds and demand progress.

THANK YOU CHRIS!!

A MUST read for every single person in the World

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Whilst I do not agree with everything proposed in this fine book it is clear he has made an overwhelming case for radical reform. A justice system run by politicians is a justice system at the mercy of populism.

Compassionate, thoughtful and thought provoking.

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