Law and Legal

NSW, Australia: The Federation Press, 1994 Clean paperback 151 pages, very good only slight corner bumping, still tight, slight discolouring of edges and covers. This is an unusual book. The pages resonate with compassion and a commitment to the justice and fairness to which all Australians should aspire. More than a decade after his death in 1986, Lionel Murphy still remains one of the most controversial figures in modern Australian history. His reward for a lifetime of unselfish contributions to justice and equity in Australia was a sadly selfish political vendetta pursued by opponents to the eve of his death. The chapters in this book, based on the first five Lionel Murphy Memorial Lectures, presented from l987 to 1991, reveal much about the man and why he engendered such great respect among many and such bitterness among others. Every issue canvassed in this book: corporate governance and ethics, Aboriginal land rights, Aboriginal and the criminal justice system, tax avoidance, monarchy or republic, consumer protection versus corporate power, restrictions on corporate monopolies, judges as law-makers or mere interpreters, and many more - is as relevant now as when confronted by Lionel Murphy. His responses to the issues and the reactions of his opponents provide both sound guidance and salutary warnings of the lengths to which entrenched interests in Australia will go to protect their positions. Murphy's respect for the law, for human rights, and for the principles of natural justice guided his behaviour as a lawyer. Appearing before a court, he could begin by conceding these principles, even when they undermined his case. As a judge, his disdain for the superficial trappings of tradition - the wigs and substitution of Latin where English would do - was matched by his unvarying commitment to legal principles and his unwavering belief in the supremacy of Parliament. He interpreted legislation to achieve its stated goals, not perverted results from an out-of-context reading to protect the interests of those at whom the legislation was directed. Rights for him were not simply abstract concepts, but something to be respected and applied consistently to real cases. Example after example are found in the book. Those examples should be signposts for lawyers and judges today. This is an inspirational book. It should be on the shelves of any lawyer with a social conscience. He always raised his voice for the underdog and proves once again how necessary agitators are to Australian society or any society. . First Edition. Trade Paperback. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. more information

Offered by ReadBeFore Books (Australia)