

A Primer for Common Law Judges
Author(s): Max Barrett
Publication date: Apr 2022
Format: Hardback
Pages: 373
Price: £95.00
ISBN: 9781787428577
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This is a marvellous book, full of wisdom and literary references. It is written by a leading Irish judge and brings with it an international flavour, featuring judgments from common law jurisdictions across the world.
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This is an enjoyable and instructive book for all who are interested in how law is made.
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Judges are increasingly aware that the best way of enhancing public confidence in court systems is not only by providing a quality service but doing so compassionately and respectfully. The art and craft of judgment writing is a critical element of this process. This book looks at the judgments of historically great judgment writers from the US, UK and wider common law world (in particular Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Israel and New Zealand). It is written not from the perspective of what the author can teach but with the aim of identifying essential elements of good judgment writing in great judgments and insightful commentary.
Written by Dr Max Barrett, a judge of the High Court of Ireland, individual chapters focus on subjects such as judgment purpose, length, style and structure, concurring and dissenting judgments, judgment writing for children and vulnerable parties, as well as more general lessons in good writing offered by great authors from Orwell to Twain. Among the lessons to be taken from great common law judges are that:
A great author such as Mark Twain teaches, for example, that:
This book is intended for novice superior court judges, their more seasoned colleagues and all with an interest in legal writing (including legal practitioners, law teachers and law students). Lower-court judges required to write judgments should find the book valuable; and judges at all levels should find the additional chapter on ex tempore judgments of use.
Featuring a preface by Sir Robin Jacob.
All post-tax author profits from this book will be donated to the Red Cross to help the people of Ukraine.