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Book Review

A Life In The Street by Philip Malzard.  Published privately.

This book is introduced as an “informal history” of the now extinct firm of Ogier & Le Cornu as seen through the eyes of its longest serving former employee.

This was not an easy task to undertake as an “informal history” falls somewhere between an historical treatise and an autobiography.  The result is a mishmash of the two, lacking structure and direction.  Either a history of the firm set in the context of the changes which took place in the Island between 1945 and 1995 or an autobiography of the author as one of the well know characters of the legal profession could have been interesting and informative.  Unfortunately this volume is too personal and introspective to succeed as the former and not personal and introspective enough to succeed as the latter.

The book is, however, well researched and contains interesting passages on the history of the firm and its luminaries interspersed with amusing anecdotes.  It is written in the familiar, colloquial style of “Le Patron” whose character and personality show through in his inimitable style of writing.  The final section of the book contains several entertaining contributions from other former members of staff.

The book is worth reading even if a little self indulgent and in need of the services of a professional editor.  But perhaps a book which was never intended to be published and read by the public at large should not be criticised too harshly.  It will appeal to those who have had some connection with the old firm and those who remember “Hill Street” as it used to be.

R.J. Aubert has been a conveyancer for 13 years and is now employed in the Law Officers’ Department, Jersey.