In Black and White: A Young Barrister's Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice System by Alexandra Wilson

In Black and White: A Young Barrister's Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice System is the debut book by Alexandra Wilson. It is presented as a young barrister’s account of her experiences in criminal and family law.

Key details

• Author: Alexandra Wilson
• Debut book
• Centres on the author’s work as a junior criminal and family law barrister
• Described as a story of race and class in the justice system

Synopsis

Alexandra Wilson describes how the death of a family friend, Ayo, when she was a teenager led her towards the legal profession in search of answers. As a junior barrister, she writes about working within a system shaped by a privileged few, including moments that expose racism in the courtroom.

The book re-creates tense court scenes, meetings with teenage clients, and the frustrations and triumphs of early practice. Wilson also reflects on what it is like to defend people who hate the colour of her skin, and to represent someone she suspects is guilty. Her account includes children coerced into county line drug deals and the harm that can follow when teenagers are criminalised, drawing on what she has witnessed as a young mixed-race barrister.