A Kitchen Confidential of Britain's criminal justice system, packed with gripping, real-life courtroom drama and savage wit

Every day, like every criminal barrister in this country, Alex McBride stands up in court and, with nothing but quick-thinking, sharp-talking and his hard-won legal expertise, attempts to save people from criminal conviction, prison, even a lifetime behind bars. Sometimes, he has had only a few hours to prepare his case. Sometimes, his client is obviously guilty.

In this hilarious, heart-stopping memoir, he takes us behind the scenes in barristers' chambers, in the courtroom, in the cells and on the streets and shows how justice actually works, day to day. Full of outlandish personalities, courtroom gaffes and eye-opening home truths, he reveals all the tricks of the trade, as well as conveying the emotional toll of trying to do the right thing in impossible circumstances. This is a hugely entertaining book that tackles a question of profound importance: how can we ensure that the guilty are punished and the innocent walk free?

Alex McBride is a criminal barrister. He is the author of the 'Common Law' column in Prospect magazine and has contributed to the New Statesman and various BBC programmes, including From Our Own Correspondent.