Book Review: Under the Wig by William Clegg QC

For quite a long time, I wanted to be a lawyer. The trouble was, it was more of an attorney I wanted to be rather than a lawyer in the UK. I liked the showmanship of the American legal system and our system by contrast seems rather quaint and “old boy’s club”.

Even once I got over wanting to be a lawyer, I still have an interest in the subject and I love a good legal drama, so a real life account of life as a QC appealed to me straight away. Below is my review of Under the Wig by William Clegg QC.

Under the Wig by William Clegg QC

Blurb from The Back Cover

How can you speak up for someone accused of a savage murder?

Or sway a jury?

Or get a judge to drop a case?

In this memoir, murder case lawyer William Clegg revisits 14 of his most intriguing cases, from the acquittal of Colin Stagg to the shooting of Jill Dando, to the man given life because of an ear print.

All the while he lays bare the secrets of his profession, from the rivalry among barristers to the nervous moments before a verdict comes back, and how our right to a fair trial has been put at risk.

Under the Wig is for anyone who wants to know the reality of a murder trial. Switch off the TV dramas and witness the real criminal law in action.

My Thoughts on The Book

I found Under the Wig to be thoroughly enjoyable. It is written in a style that’s easy to follow and it doesn’t try to be all showy and use words and phrases the average person outside of law wouldn’t understand. In fact, it does the opposite, making the book accessible to all.

It definitely dispels the myths from the TV shows and gives you an insight into what really goes on and all of the behind the scenes stuff that doesn’t make the shows.

It’s definitely one to read if you have an interest in the law or court room style dramas etc.

Conclusion and Rating

A great read, very entertaining, and will make you question your own thoughts on the justice system. 5/5

You can grab your copy of Under the Wig here.

Have you read Under the Wig? Did you enjoy it? Let me know in the comments 🙂

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