No Lawyers in Heaven

The life of a criminal defence lawyer is shrouded in mystery. Outsiders might wonder about how to deal with potentially dangerous clients; what happens behind the scenes when building a defence; and, that age-old moral dilemma, how a lawyer can defend someone they think is guilty. But what is life really like for those tasked with representing the shadowy underbelly of society? For over forty years, criminal defence solicitor Henry Milner has been the go-to lawyer for some of Britain's most notorious criminals including Kenneth Noye and the Brink's-Mat robbers, Freddie Foreman, John 'Goldfinger' Palmer and the gang behind the Millennium Dome raid. Here, the lawyer referred to in the Sunday Times as 'The Mr Big of Criminal Briefs' offers a fascinating insight into life at the top of the profession, lifting the lid on the psychology of those who end up on the wrong side of the law and those who defend them. By turns shocking and hilarious, this remarkable memoir takes us deep into the enigmatic criminal underworld, delivering a wry personal commentary on the most extraordinary aspects of a life spent amongst the accused. "A fascinating read as a top-class criminal defence lawyer tells the story of his top-class clients and their top-class crimes". JAMES MORTON author of Krays: The Final Word “A no-holds-barred exposé.” ANDY MCNAB “An entertaining and revealing insight into the world of the criminal defence lawyer and the inside stories behind some of the Old Bailey s most famous cases.” DUNCAN CAMPBELL, journalist and author of Underworld: The definitive history of Britain's organised crime “A fascinating read and brilliantly written.” CLARE MONTGOMERY QC “Henry Milner's colourful account of a career over decades as a criminal defence solicitor evokes a bygone era of the criminal justice system. In a highly readable style with plenty of wry self-deprecating humour, Milner gives a compelling insight into a life defending some of the big-league criminal names. A must-read.” FRANCES GIBB, former legal editor,The Times “What a great read and testament to a stellar career” CRISPIN AYLETT QC