This is a cogently argued examination of how the British legal system ignores, downgrades, underrates and discriminates against women … Kennedy has properly argued that a profession that practises law and pursues justice must be seen to be just, reasonable, unprejudiced and open to public scrutiny. That's not to say the book is not worth reading since it contains its more than fair share of 'inside stories', analysis and theoretical accounts. Kennedy points to rape as the classic example of this, however it is the chapters on abused women killing in self-defence that I felt the message had its greatest power.

Sticking with prisons, the one oddly flabby note in the book comes in a few pages where Kennedy discusses trans prisoners. In particular, she often talks about how most judges are completely out of touch with the general population, which can definitely impact their judgement. Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian View image in fullscreen ‘An excellent and forensic takedown’: Helena Kennedy QC. As a survivor myself I found the sections about sexual violence particularly illuminating and infuriating.Eve Was Framed is an eye-opening analysis of the disadvantages that women face in the criminal justice system.

What is great about this book is that there are numerous real-life examples and cases given, allowing a greater insight to Kennedy's statements. is skilful and her eloquent argument against the 'Chivalry Theory' changed the misconceptions I had about women being treated more gently than men in our legal system. Such brief basics will be helpful to a first-year law student since it helps you to approach law in a more rounded way.Covering gender inequality in an entire system in 290 pages will always be a challenge, but I do feel like this was a good overview. However, Helena Kennedy’s Eve was Framed (Vintage 1993) will show you that prejudice could be stronger than the rule of law itself, bringing injustice to someone who is “below [the law]” – to women. The courts are harsh on these women, Kennedy finds, while treating men who kill 'nagging' wives leniently. New Paperbacks NEW PAPERBACKS [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="total_products"/] A selection of recent paperbacks.

it did get a bit repetitive at points and it took on a rather informal tone but i suppose if you like that then it won't be a problem. She incriminates women as much as men and talks an equal share about female criminals as she does about female victims. It is really not as simple as the fact that law is sexist -- the problem runs deeper and the solution is beyond complicated. Police, lawyers and judges still have difficulties in abandoning their stereotype of the abused woman as someone who is submissive and cowed. This book is a polemic and therefore asserts Kennedy’s opinion on the injustice of the criminal law by critiquing the intimidating nature of court with the paraphernalia of wigs and gowns, assessing the impact of this mystical element of the law, and talking about her experiences as a very successful female barrister.It beautifully articulates the struggles that women over the years have had to go through from prisons to murder trials, and the constant clear discrimination behind it. Her attack on double standards is witty and intelligent, and only made me fall further in love with her and her writing. While it does tell you facts and figures and is detailed in its evidence, it also tells stories of the authors experience and narrates courtroom drama in a way that keeps you interested in what Kennedy is trying to tell you.