With a collection of eccentric and amusing characters, Henry Cecil brings to life the trials in a county court and exposes the complex and often contradictory workings of the English legal system.

What does it feel like to be a Judge? Read these stories and you can almost feel you are looking at proceedings from the lofty position of the Bench. With a collection of eccentric and amusing characters, Henry Cecil brings to life trials in a County Court and exposes the complex and contradictory workings of the English legal system.

Harry Woodstock is a lazy but amiable criminal who would rather live by fraud than by working .He is very comfortable in prison. When out of prison he tries to avoid a violent criminal. Understandably, Harry feels safer in prison so thinks up ways to get himself inside again. His amusing story ends with an ingenious solution.

When Norman Partridge moves to Little Bacon he proves to be a kind and helpful neighbour and is liked by everyone. Six months before, John Gladstone, a wealthy bank-robber had escaped from custody. Gradually, Partridge's neighbours begin to ask themselves questions. Some villagers are suspicious and decide to take matters into their own hands.

Imagine a judge handing out a lenient sentence because he is suddenly filled with love for his fellow man. Think of a world where Trades Union leaders support their bosses' high salaries and where policemen hug and kiss drivers stopped for speeding. Eventually the government is forced to step in.

'If everyone had a perfectly clear conscience, the blackmailer would have no chance'. So begins a trial in which the judge is himself blackmailed. Unwittingly 'picked up' by a 'respectable-looking girl' he finds his career and personal life threatened. Can Mr Justice Slaughter save himself ?