Brief Description
A biography of Thomas Scrutton, who has been described as 'the greatest English-speaking commercial judge of a century'.
Learn More about the Book
Karl Llewellyn described Thomas Scrutton as 'the greatest English-speaking commercial judge of a century'. Scrutton played a key role in a number of politically sensitive court cases from the Great War to the 1930s. This biography draws on unpublished sources to evaluate his contribution as counsel, campaigner and judge in a number of areas: the development of a modern law of copyright; the checking of executive power in and after the Great War; and his attempt to develop English commercial law on a basis which reflected the practices and expectations of the commercial community. In addition to providing valuable insights into the nature of legal practice and advancement in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the book examines Llewellyn's claim that Scrutton adopted a 'realist' approach to the development of commercial law, and uses the body of Scrutton's judgments to explore the limits of a 'realist' approach to jurisprudence.
About the Author
David Foxton is a leading practitioner in commercial law and an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham. He has won numerous awards and most recently was named 2012 Commercial Litigation Silk (QC) of the year.
Review Quotes
1. " admirers of Scrutton have reason to be grateful to David Foxton for producing a close and rigorous assessment of Scrutton's life The Life of Thomas E. Scrutton is well written, thoroughly researched and can be most warmly recommended."
Roderick Munday, The Cambridge Law Journal"
2. "Mr Foxton's biography shows elegantly and conclusively why Scrutton LJ's impact on the law has been so much greater than that of his forensic and judicial rival, John Hamilton."
Richard Aikens, Lloyd's Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly
