With the Law on Our Side: How the Law Works and How We Can Make It Work Better for Everyone

Told through real cases in real courts, the former – and first woman – President of the Supreme Court leads us on a deeply entertaining and vitally important tour of the law in our land.

'Principled, timely and vital' PHILIPPE SANDS

'Powerful and urgent' FINANCIAL TIMES

'If this country made any sense, we'd make this book part of the syllabus' IAN DUNT

If we are lucky, we’ll never have an accident, or be wronged, or face a family difficulty. But what if we do? How do we make sense of the justice system – this vast and arcane world – and ensure it is in our corner?

Lady Hale, former President of the Supreme Court, takes us inside our courts to reveal how the law works in real time.

From everyday tribunals to the lofty heights of the Royal Courts of Justice, and through powerful true stories of real cases and people, we share in the complexity of deciding what is right, feel the human drama of our legal system and learn what the law truly is. Ultimately, we see how the law serves everyone – and why we must care about it.

'Everyone who cares about a fair and just society should read this book' SARAH LANGFORD

'Informative, enjoyable and compelling'OBSERVER

'Accessible, forensic and breathtakingly humane' SHAMI CHAKRABARTI

‘A rallying cry for justice that is truly on our side’ CHERIE BLAIR KC

** LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2026 **