Written by Stephen Gold, a civil and family judge, legal broadcaster and journalist, this self-help best-seller has been significantly expanded with over 25 new chapters added to make this a 77 chapter bumper second edition covering even more of the legal problems we may all encounter at some time in our lives.
So whoever you are — litigant in person, consumer or business owner and you can even be a professional lawyer or legal trainee to derive benefit from the book — you will find entertaining and enormously practical advice, written in straightforward language, direct from the judge’s pen to help you succeed in your dispute — or at least lose well.
Been overcharged at a supermarket? Overlooked in a relative’s will? Sold duff goods? Sued for repossession by mortgage lender or landlord? Threatened by being left penniless after a divorce? You can find help here. But now in this second edition, you will also be armed to challenge that parking ticket, cope with a speeding or drink-drive prosecution, get your money back on a Covid cancelled holiday, resist excessive service charges from your landlord and much, much more. And Breaking Law Iooks like being the first book available to cover the new no-fault divorce laws that are due to come into force in April 2022.
But Stephen does much more than explain rights. He takes you through how to behave in court (including how to cross-examine) whether it’s a face-to-face or remote hearing. And the book is full of templates: letters to help you win without a court case; documents you can use if the dispute goes to court; and documents such as the change your name deed, the cohabitation agreement, the pre-nuptial agreement, the anti-gazumping agreement, the no-sex agreement and the longest will in the world from which you can chose who inherits and who doesn’t.
Throughout, Stephen’s advice is illuminated by tales of how his own disputes with a myriad of businesses have gone. No disputes with the twins Ron and Reg Kray, though. He was their lawyer and there’s a fascinating account of his professional relationship with them and his discovery of what became of Ron’s brain.
If you do think you need a lawyer, Stephen provides plenty of ideas of how to get legal advice before handing over any money along with how to source professional help in and out of courts and tribunals for those who cannot afford legal fees (and who can?!).
From the moment you get out of bed, you could suddenly find yourself needing this book. So don’t wait till the worst happens, get a copy and keep it handy like thousands of others have done over the last five years.