Ronald Waterhouse

The 20th century saw a period of enormous legal and social change in Britain. In these engaging memoirs Ronald Waterhouse, who sat as one of Britain’s leading High Court Judges, provides fascinating frontline insights into the complex British legal system. Waterhouse took silk in 1969 and became a High Court judge in 1978 in the Family Division, transferring to the Queen’s Bench in 1988 where he presided over well-known trials such as those of Ken Dodd and Derek Hatton. Libel, including reading libel for Private Eye with Richard Ingrams and Paul Foot, civil and personal injury work were a prominent part of his practice. After his retirement, he was appointed Chairman of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Child Abuse in North Wales Children’s Homes in 1996. It was during this time that he went onto lead the biggest inquiry into child abuse ever held in Britain, publishing the highly significant and influential report ‘Lost in Care’ in 2000. From his early career as a barrister at Middle Temple, which saw his involvement in high-profile cases such as the notorious Moors Murders in the 1960s and Slater Walker in the 1970s, to his later work as a Judge, Waterhouse here presents a detailed and authoritative narrative of British jurisprudence in the second half of the 20th century. This unique insider’s view will fascinate general readers and prove essential reading for specialists.