Brothers in Law

Brothers in Law is a 1955 comic novel by British author Henry Cecil, a county court judge, about Roger Thursby, a young barrister experiencing his first year in chambers. It was followed by two sequels Friends at Court and Sober as a Judge. Plot summary At the age of 21, Roger Thursby has just completed his barrister's examinations and has been called to the bar. He commences his pupillage in the chambers of Mr Kendall Grimes, but finds he learns more from Henry, his colleague, and fellow pupils Peter and Charles, to say nothing of Alec, the chambers clerk. Although supposed to 'shadow' Grimes, he finds himself on his feet before a judge within a few days, all at sea on a knotty legal point. Roger lives with his slightly vague widowed mother, and also balances the affections of two girlfriends, Sally and Joy. Joy obtains his first brief for him from her uncle, a solicitor; an undefended divorce case, which Roger manages to lose, to the lady's fury. Roger slowly gains more experience and confidence. He is given a 'dock brief', a case of fraud. Despite the odd behaviour of his client, Roger gets him off.