​James Wilson
Author
Cases that Changed Our Lives, vol II
Published by LexisNexis, 2014.
Following the success of Volume 1 in 2010, Cases That Changed Our Lives: Volume 2 presents a brand new selection of cases from around the world that have changed or created the rules and procedures which govern our lives and which we abide by.
From the Trial of Charles I, to more recent high profile equality cases, the book covers a wide range of groundbreaking cases that have had an enduring impact on present day law. It sets out the facts of each case and examines the implications for that area of law, looks at the people involved and assesses the case’s lasting legacy.
With contributions from leading practitioners in their fields, the book gives a fascinating and invaluable insight into the importance of case law and the impact it has on our lives and on our world. £1 for every copy of the book sold will be donated to STOP THE TRAFFIK a global movement of activists around the world who passionately give their time and energy to build resilient communities and prevent human trafficking.
I co-edited the book. I also wrote the chapter introductions and an essay on religion and law.
The book can be purchased here.
"This excellent new book by Ian McDougall and James Wilson and their team of contributors gives a wonderful insight into how we have arrived at today’s jurisprudence."
- Phillip Taylor, barrister.
In 1979, The Advocates Society welcomed Lord Tom Denning to Toronto. He was on a tour publicizing his latest book. I was gifted The Discipline of Law as a call to the bar gift shortly after.
Forty-five years on—and a quarter century after the world-famous jurist’s death at 100—James Wilson’s new biography is an excellent and thorough review of the still relevant, and always controversial jurist. Wilson himself practices law in New Zealand and the U.K., and is an accomplished writer on legal topics, including exploring legal cases around the game of cricket. The result is not only a highly readable biography but an excellent reference source on the innumerable areas of the law that Denning contributed to developing.
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The book’s 23 chapters extensively cover Denning’s life and upbringing and every stage of his legal career. These are preceded by the book’s opening, which includes quotes about him and by him (never overly modest!) Among the mostly glowing accolades is a comment from Reuben Hassan, Professor Emeritus at Osgoode Hall Law School, who opines that Lord Denning “fell considerably short of the stature of a great judge (or jurist).” The late-Lord Brooke declares him as “rather a discredited figure.”
Through an examination of the man’s life and times, Wilson gives us insight into what drove both Denning’s innovation as well as his often moralistic, judgmental rigidness. His strengths and weakness in many ways reflected the changing society of England during his long life. The book is also meticulously footnoted with a select bibliography of over ten pages including reports or works authored by Denning.
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The last chapter, appropriately titled “A Final Judgement,” includes a critical analysis of Denning’s well known, catchy, succinct openings that he is so remembered for: “It all started in a public house,” or “ A man’s head got caught in a propeller.” While memorable, among other criticisms, the author suggests that putting the merits of the case up front with the facts was Denning’s way of getting the reader to agree with his decision.
In summary, Wilson has delivered a well-organized, readable, and interesting biography / legal-social history that should give a judicial reader both insight and knowledge of perhaps the most influential jurist of the modern era.