Member Article

Barrister launches crime novel

The worldwide launch of a new crime thriller was held in Birmingham last week.

The Brief, written by No5 Chambers Barrister Simon Michael, is based upon real cases and genuine court documents, and tells the story of unconventional barrister Charles Holborne who finds himself on the wrong side of the law.

Barristers, solicitors and legal professionals were at the launch of the book, which was held by No5 Chambers at their Birmingham office in Fountain Court, Steelhouse Lane.

Popular actor and crime writer Robert Daws read extracts from The Brief. Robert is a leading English stage and television actor, well known for his roles in Outside Edge, The Royal and most recently BBC 1’s Poldark.

Simon Michael answered questions and took part in a book signing.

Simon Michael was called to the Bar in 1978, and practised in the field of criminal law for 15 years. He is currently a member of the Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury groups at No5. He said: “Set in London in the 1960s, The Brief is based on real cases heard in the criminal courts and incorporates genuine court documents.

“The plot centres around a ‘cut-throat defence’ with co-defendants accusing each other of the crime, and draws on the day-to-day experience of criminal lawyers to create the kind of courtroom drama that will be familiar to members of the legal profession.”

The Brief is published by Urbane Publications. A spokesman for Urbane said: “The Brief gives a real flavour of life at the criminal bar in the 1960s, a period in London’s gangland history dominated by the Soho turf war between the Krays and the Yardies.”

Award winning No5 Chambers is one of the UK’s premier set of barristers’ chambers with offices in Birmingham, London, Bristol and East Midlands and boasts more than 240 barristers and 28 silks.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Taylor .