The Rule of Law

By Tom Bingham
Review by Charles (Law)

When I first considered studying law at university, I thought that it would be a good idea to do some reading around the subject to see if I thought that I would actually enjoy it! I therefore went along to a local bookshop to have a look in the Law section. There were so many thick textbooks for sale that I initially felt a little bit worried! However, upon closer inspection, I found a number of really interesting books, one of which was The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham.

Tom Bingham was a senior Law Lord and therefore an expert in his field, but the reason why I enjoyed this book so much was because he made law and legal history accessible to me, someone who had never studied it before. The book opens with a short history of law, which I found to be the most interesting section of the book. He examines key legal documents and landmarks since the 13th Century, explaining their significance in establishing the “rule of law” around the world today. I had heard of the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights before, but never really knew exactly what they included! The second half of the book looks at key principles such as the right to a fair trial and the protection of human rights, which gave me a great overview of the legal and political system in the UK and further afield.

In you’re at all interested in law, history, or politics, I really would urge you to go along to a bookshop and have a look at some of the fascinating books that are on offer. Law really doesn’t have to be dry and dull!

The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham
ISBN-10: 014103453X
ISBN-13: 9780141034539

Try checking the availability of this book at your school or local library or explore second hand bookshops and websites. You may also wish to purchase from either Amazon or Blackwell’s.

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