Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BOOK REVIEW
MAKING LAWFUL DECISIONS
A guide for decision-makers on acting within the law
By: Victoria Butler-Cole KC and Steve Broach KC
ISBN 978 1 91364 862 6
LEGAL ACTION GROUP
The access to justice charity
lag.org.uk
LAWYER OR NOT, A DECISION MAKER NEEDS TO KNOW THE LAW
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister” and Mediator
If you have found yourself — or your client — in the position of being appointed as a decision-maker over a number of issues in either the public or private sectors, you need this book, recently published by the Legal Action Group (LAG), the access to justice charity, who are justly famed for producing legal texts accessible not only to lawyers, but to the average concerned reader.
Pertinent, applicable and directly accessible to lawyers and non-lawyers alike, this book emerges as an essential guide — no doubt about that — to both the basics and the possible and probable complexities which, more often than not, are likely to emerge in the decision-making process.
With depth and clarity, a wide range of issues are discussed, with a focus on the most controversial, including for example, cases pertaining to equality and human rights. The book therefore covers a lot of ground in explaining an extensive and complex subject, with the thoroughness and clarity that makes it accessible to all decision-makers — lawyers and non-lawyers alike.
As the LAG explains, the book’s overall aim is to ensure that
“a decision-making process follows a lawful process.” And that includes, appropriately, answers to the problems of those who are aggrieved by a decision and therefore considering a complaint, or a legal challenge.
The first chapter to turn to is the ‘Checklist’ and an invaluable checklist it is. Certainly, it covers such necessities as powers,
problems, evidence and much, much more, including what to do if your decision is challenged — a challenge indeed.
Certainly, this compact volume provides a treasure trove of useful resources for further research. Note the almost twenty pages of Tables of Cases plus the Table of Statutes and Statutory Instruments - and a Table of European and International Instruments. Also note the handy index, the glossary of legal terms and the extensive footnotes — indispensable if more detailed research is required — and it usually is, in so many circumstances.
“A guide for decision makers on acting within the law” is the book’s subtitle and an excellent guide it is. Any lawyer advising clients embroiled in these or similar problems should very quickly acquire a copy.
The date of publication of this paperback book is cited as July 2024.
BOOK REVIEW
MAKING LAWFUL DECISIONS
A guide for decision-makers on acting within the law
By: Victoria Butler-Cole KC and Steve Broach KC
ISBN 978 1 91364 862 6
LEGAL ACTION GROUP
The access to justice charity
lag.org.uk
LAWYER OR NOT, A DECISION MAKER NEEDS TO KNOW THE LAW
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister” and Mediator
If you have found yourself — or your client — in the position of being appointed as a decision-maker over a number of issues in either the public or private sectors, you need this book, recently published by the Legal Action Group (LAG), the access to justice charity, who are justly famed for producing legal texts accessible not only to lawyers, but to the average concerned reader.
Pertinent, applicable and directly accessible to lawyers and non-lawyers alike, this book emerges as an essential guide — no doubt about that — to both the basics and the possible and probable complexities which, more often than not, are likely to emerge in the decision-making process.
With depth and clarity, a wide range of issues are discussed, with a focus on the most controversial, including for example, cases pertaining to equality and human rights. The book therefore covers a lot of ground in explaining an extensive and complex subject, with the thoroughness and clarity that makes it accessible to all decision-makers — lawyers and non-lawyers alike.
As the LAG explains, the book’s overall aim is to ensure that
“a decision-making process follows a lawful process.” And that includes, appropriately, answers to the problems of those who are aggrieved by a decision and therefore considering a complaint, or a legal challenge.
The first chapter to turn to is the ‘Checklist’ and an invaluable checklist it is. Certainly, it covers such necessities as powers,
problems, evidence and much, much more, including what to do if your decision is challenged — a challenge indeed.
Certainly, this compact volume provides a treasure trove of useful resources for further research. Note the almost twenty pages of Tables of Cases plus the Table of Statutes and Statutory Instruments - and a Table of European and International Instruments. Also note the handy index, the glossary of legal terms and the extensive footnotes — indispensable if more detailed research is required — and it usually is, in so many circumstances.
“A guide for decision makers on acting within the law” is the book’s subtitle and an excellent guide it is. Any lawyer advising clients embroiled in these or similar problems should very quickly acquire a copy.
The date of publication of this paperback book is cited as July 2024.
