What makes a barrister famous? At one time, many of the best advocates were also prominent politicians, whose day job was in court and who moonlighted in the Commons — think F.E. Smith. But it is impossible today to double up with any distinction. As long as capital punishment survived, public attention also attached to those great defenders who rescued their clients from the noose — think Edward Marshall Hall.
Michael Beloff
The real wizard of Oz
His special interest in press freedom and the fashionable area of human rights has made Robertson a hero of the left-wing media

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