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Do we have the law we deserve?
Has justice improved for the victim, the accused and society?
What even is justice?

‘Joseph is a natural storyteller.. but what makes it stand out is her point of view.’ The Times

‘A compelling read’ Lady Hale

‘A more cerebral version of Kavanagh QC … with sensitivity, suspense and an easy style. New Statesman

‘Beautifully written, immensely engaging, powerful and disturbing insight into a judge’s work and the choices faced.’ Peter James

‘If ever I was on trial I would want my judge to be this one.’ Cherie Blair, CBE KC

Hot on the heels of her Sunday Times bestseller Unlawful Killings, Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC skilfully reconstructs four courtroom dramas, drawing on her many years’ experience as a murder judge to ask whether our justice system works, and if it has improved over the centuries. Have we got any better at delivering what is right and fair to both the perpetrators and the victims of society’s most heinous crimes?

From the trial of a child charged with disposing of dismembered body parts, to the woman accused of killing her own husband, Joseph is utterly compelling as she sets out how the system works. But, as she compares these modern courtroom tales with eerily similar cases and miscarriages of justice from years ago, might the most chilling story of all be that the lessons of the past have yet to be learned?

Incisive, masterfully crafted, Rough Justice illuminates the struggles of any one of us caught up in our legal system – but particularly the marginalized and the easily exploited – and grapples with the concept of ‘justice for all’ so that we might demand better.

‘The author’s wit and wisdom deserve as wide an audience as possible.’ His Honour David Radford

‘An author who uses hindsight to contemplate foresight whilst generating genuine insight.’ Professor Dame Sue Black

‘The criminal law has found its voice: quiet, determined, steely, and yet always humane.’ Justin Webb

‘A riveting front-line account of our beleaguered courts…Told with clarity and eloquence, it distils an arcane subject with the vigor and pace of a legal thriller.’ Kia Abdullah

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Praise for Unlawful Killings by Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC, Sunday Times bestseller, March 2023:

‘The most exceptional book I have read in a long time.’ CLARE MACKINTOSH

‘Absolutely superb. 5 stars’ PHILIPPA PERRY, author of THE BOOK YOU WISH YOUR PARENTS HAD READ

‘Wendy Joseph’s gripping account of the law at work reads like a cliffhanger.’ Sunday Times

‘A gripping insight … beautifully crafted … grim tales lifted by humour and honesty.’ The Times

‘Her writing is characterized by analytical precision, but it is also a book of great empathy and urgency… A fine book.” TLS

‘A very rare gem. written with authority, humility and compassion. Compellingly clever and sharply honest.’ PROFESSOR DAME SUE BLACK, author of ALL THAT REMAINS
‘Riveting, thought-provoking, and very, very entertaining. I loved it.’ RODDY DOYLE

‘Will make you question all the fundamentals that you’ve come to take for granted about offenders, the crimes that they commit – especially murder – and the punishment they deserve. A page turner that will leave you wanting to know more.’ EMERITUS PROFESSOR DAVID WILSON, author of MY LIFE WITH MURDERERS

Publisher Review

A vivid picture of the thoughts, feelings and actions of a woman judge as she tries cases involving women as victims/perpetrators and asks herself whether we do them justice. A compelling read. — Lady Hale Beautifully written, immensely engaging, powerful and disturbing insight into a judge’s work and the choices faced. — Peter James, author of the Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series A fascinating and entertaining view of our criminal justice system from the perspective of the Bench. Wendy Joseph tells stories of criminal prosecutions where women are on trial for serious offences. All the characters of the crown court come alive from judge’s clerk to problematic jury members, from overconfident counsel to the frightened defendant with Her Honour left to play umpire and make the whole system run as smoothly as possible. It is a relatively fair procedure, but can justice be served in cases where there is often a complex and hidden past?’ — Harriet Wistrich, author of Sister in Law