A new book by a Scots lawyer examines comic legal fiction and the role it plays in the public’s understanding of the justice system.
Retired judge and professor of law, Peter Robson, has produced a study of all the comic fictional lawyers over the past century, including the most famous, Old Bailey hack, Horace Rumpole.
Rumpole and His Rivals focuses on the writings of eight lawyer authors over the past century and traces the different approaches taken in this form of comedic literature. Over 60 comic legal fiction books have been published in Britain between 1924 and 2024, with the desire of their authors not only to entertain, but to inform, educate, and create a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand how and why the rule of law and legal profession have garnered their current reputation and level of confidence.
Professor Robson has written extensively on homelessness and housing over the years. He also writes on law and popular culture and his translation of the classic work Il giudice sullo schermo (The Judge on the Screen) by Vincenzo Tomeo was published in January 2025.
The 5th edition of Residential Tenancies (with Malcolm Combe) is in preparation. He was professor of social welfare law at the University of Strathclyde (1992 – 2020) and a judge in HM Courts and Tribunals Service (1992 – 2022).
Professor Richard Collier of Newcastle University said: “Accessible, insightful, and thought-provoking, Rumpole and His Rivals: Comic Legal Fiction is an immensely enjoyable and informative book exploring the tradition of comic legal fiction. An essential and, importantly, entertaining read for anyone interested in the portrayal of lawyers in fictional literature and the role of law in society. Highly recommended.”
Professor Fiona Cownie from Keele University commented: “In this volume, Peter Robson encourages the reader to take a serious look at some ‘legal light literature’. While highlighting some of the more amusing aspects of legal life, the authors, all lawyers, also draw attention to some of the dilemmas and ethical problems commonly faced by members of the legal professions and judges today.”
https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/new-book-examines-comic-legal-fiction
