Judge Walden is back, to preside over five new cases at Bermondsey Crown Court.

Retired resident judge Peter Murphy takes us back to the world of criminal trials in South London for another session with Charlie keeping the peace between his fellow judges - Marjorie, 'Legless' and Hubert - while fighting off the attacks of the Grey Smoothies, the civil servants who seem intent on reducing the court's dwindling resources to vanishing point in the name of 'business cases' and 'value for money'.

Meet the rum and memorable characters who pop into Charlie's domain, including Lester Fogle from one of London's Disorganised Crime Families, Arthur Swivell the one-time Bermondsey singing legend and the very unbardlike Elias Shakespeare. And you will never feel the same about 'The Owl and the Pussycat' or the Entente Cordiale again.

Fortunately, Charlie has Elsie and Jeanie's lattes and ham and cheese baps, and newspaper vendor George's witty banter, to sustain him in the mornings; and in the evenings, the Delights of the Raj, or La Bella Napoli, to enjoy with the Reverend Mrs Walden.

"The forensic process is examined in a light touch, good-humoured style, which will evoke a constant stream of smiles, and chuckles from nonlawyers and lawyers alike" - Lord Judge, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

"Although the tales are told with a comic light touch, there are critical contemporary issues at play - not least the existential threat to justice from the bureaucratic prophets of 'efficiency' and 'taxpayer value'" - ICLR

"Charles is a marvellous character who throughout demonstrates a very grown-up worldliness in having to cope with the antics of those with a far narrower perspective" - Counsel Magazine

"great fun to read and full of detailed observation on the ups and downs of court life" - Law Gazette

"Funny, intelligent and sometimes moving, the characters who emerge from these tales are brilliantly described and come to life in this most entertaining book" - Northern Reader