BALLOT BOX TO JURY BOX. The Life and Times of an English Crown Court Judge

Softcover. SIGNED. The author was first a solicitor and partner with Amery Parkes & Co. where he worked on the pioneering scheme to provide legal advice to members of the Automobile Association. He then became a partner in Goodman Derrick & Co. specialising in libel, copyright and franchising of the early Independent Television (ITV) stations before switching roles to become a barrister in the chambers of Sir Dingle Foot QC, MP. Later he was appointed as a Crown Court Recorder then Circuit Judge, rising to become the resident judge at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court and to sit as a deputy judge in the High Court of Justice. But John Baker also had a remarkable 'other life' - including as a regular broadcaster on television and radio. More to the point he was active in the Liberal Party from his student days and stood 3 times for Parliament. This candid and often humorous autobiography traces his political ambitions and tells how he came to discard the ballot box for the court bench, of his experiences as a politician, broadcaster, lawyer, judge and family man - and the array of leading lights and everyday folk he met in the course of twin careers spanning over half a century at the hub of socio-politico-legal events. A unique social record of over 50yrs. in politics and the law, and a collectors item for people interested in the democratic process. Illus. with 8 pages of photographs. 210pp. 8vo. softcover. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR. F. with no creasing to covers.