The Passionate Advocate

Book excerpt: In this readable memoir, Lord Anthony Gifford distils his experiences of fighting for people's rights in Britain, the Caribbean and internationally. He brings to his work a passion which will inspire all who care about justice. He presents remarkable insights into the ethics and techniques of an advocate for human rights. In this book, Gifford deals with issues and experiences arising from his work in the United Kingdom. He discusses the qualities needed to be an advocate for the poor; the relationship between justice and truth; the distortion of justice through political and racial prejudice; and the value of international human rights activity. Each chapter is illuminated with the author's own remarkable experiences. He then explains how and why he set up practice in Jamaica. He discusses topics in which he has been closely involved and describes his own diverse practice, covering the rights of workers, prisoners and many others, and illustrating his belief that even in a struggling economy, the law can provide remedies for those whose rights have been abused. Finally, he tackles contemporary themes of reconciliation. He describes his role as counsel for the Wray family in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Northern Ireland. He draws on his experience of living in both the white world and the black world, in presenting a plea for reparation to be made for the damage still suffered by Africans and their descendants as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. His work as a champion of the underdog continues.