TOM BINGHAM shortlisted for the THE ORWELL PRIZE

The late Lord Bingham of Cornhill has been shortlisted for The Orwell Prize, Britain’s most prestigious award for political writing.  

In THE RULE OF LAW (Allen Lane, 2010), Britain's former senior law lord, and one of the world's most acute legal minds, examines what the idea actually means.  He makes clear that the rule of law is not an arid legal doctrine but is the foundation of a fair and just society, is a guarantee of responsible government, is an important contribution to economic growth and offers the best means yet devised for securing peace and co-operation.  He briefly examines the historical origins of the rule, and then advances eight conditions which capture its essence as understood in western democracies today.

Tom Bingham , 'the most eminent of our judges' (Guardian), held office successively as Master of the Rolls, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales and Senior Law Lord of the United Kingdom.  He became a life peer on becoming Lord Chief Justice in 1996.  In 2005 he was the first judge to be appointed a Knight of the Garter. He died in June 2010, having lived to see THE RULE OF LAW reach the top ten in the Sunday Times bestseller list.    

The winner of the £3,000 prize will be announced on 19th May.