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Jeremy Hutchinson's Case Histories

From Lady Chatterley's Lover to Howard Marks

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Jeremy Hutchinson's Case Histories

By: Thomas Grant
Narrated by: David Timson
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 'Throughout a long career, [Jeremy Hutchinson's] brilliant and stylish advocacy achieved success in cases that looked unwinnable' Helena Kennedy

'Jeremy was not just a good lawyer; he was fearless in standing up to judges. He was the most formidable advocate of the 1960s and '70s and he had a marvellous sense of mischief' Geoffrey Robertson

Born in 1915 into the fringes of the Bloomsbury Group, Jeremy Hutchinson went on to become the greatest criminal barrister of the 1960s, '70s and '80s. The cases of that period changed society for ever and Hutchinson's role in them was second to none. In Case Histories, Thomas Grant examines Jeremy Hutchinson's most remarkable trials, each one providing a fascinating look into Britain's post-war social, political and cultural history.

Accessibly and entertainingly written, Case Histories provides a definitive account of Jeremy Hutchinson's life and work. From the sex and spying scandals which contributed to Harold Macmillan's resignation in 1963 and the subsequent fall of the Conservative government, to the fight against literary censorship through his defence of Lady Chatterley's Lover and Fanny Hill, Hutchinson was involved in many of the great trials of the period. He defended George Blake, Christine Keeler, Great Train robber Charlie Wilson, Kempton Bunton (the only man successfully to 'steal' a picture from the National Gallery), art 'faker' Tom Keating, and Howard Marks who, in a sensational defence, was acquitted of charges relating to the largest importation of cannabis in British history. He also prevented the suppression of Bernardo Bertolucci's notorious film Last Tango in Paris and did battle with Mary Whitehouse when she prosecuted the director of the play Romans in Britain.

Above all else, Jeremy Hutchinson's career, both at the bar and later as a member of the House of Lords, has been one devoted to the preservation of individual liberty and to resisting the incursions of an overbearing state. Case Histories provides entertaining, vivid and revealing insights into what was really going on in those celebrated courtroom dramas that defined an age, as well as painting a picture of a remarkable life.

To listen to Jeremy Hutchinson being interviewed by Helena Kennedy on BBC Radio 4's A Law Unto Themselves, please follow the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04d4cpv

You can also listen to him on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs with Kirsty Young: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03ddz8m

(P)2015 John Murray Press©2015 Thomas Grant Freedom & Security Law Politics & Government Professionals & Academics Celebrity Freedom

Critic reviews

Throughout a long career, [Jeremy Hutchinson's] brilliant and stylish advocacy achieved success in cases that looked unwinnable (Helena Kennedy)
Jeremy was not just a good lawyer; he was fearless in standing up to judges. He was a most formidable advocate of the 1960s and '70s and he had a marvellous sense of mischief (Geoffrey Robertson)
Hutchinson provides the memories and Grant puts pen to paper. The result is a multifaceted object: a celebration of a brilliant career, an explanation of the legal process and a social and cultural history of the second half of the 20th century . . . Jeremy Hutchinson's Case Histories is, above all, a romance
A fine reminder of the great democratic values enshrined in our legal system . . . Grant has cleverly produced what amounts to a cultural history of Britain in the rapidly changing post-war years . . . a greatly entertaining read which celebrates a barrister who stood up and argued with clarity and passion for various freedoms that we now take for granted
A fascinating look at Britain's post-war social, political and cultural history
[Jeremy Hutchinson] is my hero because of what he stands for today, as he continues to speak out against what he fears to be the loss of independent representation of those not merely down on their luck but down in the gutter. He is the living symbol of all that independent criminal advocacy means for justice and the rule of law
Jeremy Hutchinson's Case Histories . . . makes a compelling read, and is a real contribution to the history of twentieth-century English mentalities. It is also a first-rate lesson in simple humanity . . . The pungency, intelligence and humour of [Thomas] Grant and his subject make this the most enlivening of case-books . . . [Jeremy Hutchinson] is abundant in the qualities of empathy, consideration and humour. He manages to be both charming and shatteringly truthful
A fascinating episodic cultural history of postwar Britiain, that chronicles the end of the age of deference and secrecy, and the advent of a more permissive society . . . an impassioned defence of the criminal Bar itself . . . Grant brings out the essence of each case, and Hutchinson's role, with clarity and wit . . . a reminder of how many of the defining stories of modern times have been fought out through our courts, and changed by them
Given my automatic animus, you can imagine how confusing it was to be charmed into surrender by Thomas Grant's traversal of Hutchinson's long career as a QC
All stars
Most relevant
A very accessible history of some of the great social events of the last 60 years seen through the career of one of the heroes of the modern age. The narrator also shines in this sparkling gem!

Entertaining, Enlightening, Engaging.

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I hadn’t heard of Jeremy Hutchinson before but remember many of the important cases he was involved with as a defence counsel. His first widely-reported case in the early 1960s was the obscenity trial against DH Lawrence’s book, Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Among many famous trials in which he was defence counsel included that of Christine Keeler; the spy George Blake; the civil servant Clive Ponting and journalist Duncan Campbell. Other ground-breaking obscenity prosecutions he defended included the film Last Tango in Paris and the play Romans in Britain.

Altogether a fascination and entertaining series of trials that also plot the gradual liberalisation of society and, at times, reveals how out of touch the establishment and judges could be with public opinion.

The book starts with a short biography of this humane and liberal-minded man. His background was privileged not least by his acquaintance with many of the literary and artistic figures. He was married to the actress Peggy Ashcroft for many years.

The last chapter of the book is a critical essay by the barrister dismayed by the curtailing of legal aid and consequent lack of justice for people who cannot afford to pay for the best legal counsel. The Minster for Justice at the time of writing was Chris Grayling who comes in for excoriating remarks about his competence. At nearly 100 years old Jeremy Hutchinson probably didn't fear a libel trial and could probably defend his comments vigorously!

The reader is excellent.

Entertaining and historically interesting

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As a practising lawyer of some 18 years, this book provided a timely professional stimulus.

Inspiring advocacy

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Wonderfully written, wonderfully read. Fascinating snapshot into the judicial system working the late 60s 70s and 80s.

Excellent

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If you are interested in social history, criminal law, or good biography, you are likely to love this.

Wonderful tour through some of the defining cases of the late 20th Century

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