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Book
Reviews
September
2000
Barrister Desk
Editor, Phillip Taylor
All the
Questions You've Wanted to Ask, but Been Afraid to Ask.
420 LEGAL PROBLEMS SOLVED
BY
KEITH RICHARDS
Published by Which? Books 2000
Price: £9.99
ISBN: 0-85202-818-0
Appreciation by Phillip Taylor
Barrister Keith Richards has produced a useful question-and-answer handbook to assist with the solving of 420 legal problems. He started with a mere 350 problems in 1993, advancing to 401 in 1998. We are now up to 420 and, at the rate with which laws are enacted, we will probably reach 500 by 2005.
There is a useful opening statement on how to use the book with a standard introduction to assist consumers with their problems. At first, it may appear that much of what Richards says is just plain common sense. Don't be fooled because he goes into useful detail covering basic legal principles which lawyers take as read because of their training.
I have found these problem solvers to be of great help but they are not a replacement for direct advice from professionals including CABs. It is always difficult to advise over consumer affairs disputes because they will often depend upon the most ridiculous issues normally relating to written documentation.
There are 13 areas covered, but I come away from this book feeling just how little the consumer is actually protected when entering into a contract. This is especially true of the holidays and travel chapter. Do make use of the address book at the end: the email address and websites are of great assistance. Remember the golden rule: don't give up! Apathy is the biggest automatic defence for those who have wronged you so, if you have a valid cause, be persistent as 'joy through perseverance' is the motto running its course through each problem.
THE NEW 'HANDY HELP
A Fake Claim? - The right way to succeed with a dispute
150 LETTERS THAT GET RESULTS
BY
ASHLEY HOLMES and JANE O'LEARY
Published by Which? Books 2000
Distributed by the Penguin Group
ISBN 0-85202-819-9
Price £9.99
Appreciation by Phillip Taylor
Barrister Ashley Holmes and solicitor Jane O'Leary have produced a useful series of standard form letters covering consumer problems in this very user-friendly guide on how to complain effectively and obtain redress whatever your consumer problem. Now we have recovered from their advertisement, let's look at the book itself.
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Complain!
Sounds simple, doesn't it? Unfortunately, for any person involved in obtaining redress for wrongs (that means winning your case or losing it) you have a dreadful list of terms and forms and procedures, and etc (presumably, this means get a lawyer!). Remember: you are ALWAYS IN THE WRONG as far as an uncomfortably large number of people are concerned in the UK.
However, this handy helping guide gives you some assistance. Anyone who has dealt with the civil justice system will probably agree with recent changes to methods of obtaining redress in small claims.
The real truth is exposed here: You must complain. Don't take 'no' for an answer when officialdom takes an alleged control over your affairs. These are simple guides are for decent people to express a disappointment (when you are really fed up), or when you really mean business (like claiming against someone for money which you know they have and won't give you).
Do not be scared by using litigation (going to court) to stop some creep who has cheated you. My view is that there should be at least 1,500 letters that get results - perhaps then we would have less petty minded squabbling from people who should know better but enjoy the 'wind-up' of court action. At least they don't kill each other in civil matters (generally).
This guide gives you the best way of redress. And it is not vengeance, or revenge merely reassessing the balance between the parties: not necessarily to get even, but surely to make sure that your case is watertight and there is no arguable defence.
If you fail and sink with your complain, it is because you have not played 'the system'. This book is 'the system' and how you do it to win through.
I understand that 90% of civil litigants consent to an agreement on the door of the court building being opened (when the hen-pecking ushers have finished with you). So don't be
afraid to complain now and keep copies of what you have written or said. You will be doing Britain a service: that is what this consumer guidance in its most practical form is about. Thank you, and please stop the fakers.
Phillip Taylor is the Barrister Desk Editor
for The Malet Street Gazette.
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