By Advice of Counsel

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

11987

Title

By Advice of Counsel

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Arthur Cheney Train's witty legal comedy follows the celebrated firm of Tutt & Tutt as they navigate the absurdities of New York City law. Blending sharp satire with courtroom drama, the novel explores themes of justice, corruption, and the complexities of marriage and divorce through a series of interconnected cases involving shysters, bigamy, and the quirks of the legal system.

Summary up to 500 words

In *By Advice of Counsel*, Arthur Cheney Train presents a satirical legal comedy centered on the illustrious firm of Tutt & Tutt, led by the pragmatic Mr. Tutt and his sharp-tongued partner, Miss Minerva Wiggin. The narrative unfolds through a series of interconnected cases that expose the absurdities and hypocrisies of the early 20th-century legal landscape. The story opens with the arrest of Tony Mathusek, an innocent boy wrongly accused of breaking a window simply because he wore a red sweater, identical to that of the actual culprit. This incident illustrates the fallibility of police work and the ease with which the innocent are ensnared by systemic corruption, embodied by Officer Delany, a pragmatic cop who operates within a web of unofficial relationships and ignores theoretical justice. The plot thickens as the Tutt firm navigates complex legal definitions and societal norms. They debate the meaning of a 'shyster,' a term often used to describe lawyers without professional honor, while examining the intricacies of divorce law and bigamy. A significant portion of the narrative focuses on Mr. Higgleby, accused of bigamy for marrying multiple women in different states, raising profound questions about jurisdiction and the validity of marriages performed abroad. Train uses these scenarios to critique the legal profession and the state's role in regulating domestic relations, noting that marriage is a status determined by the state rather than a simple contract. A pivotal case involves a jury trial of a man accused of practicing veterinary medicine without a license. The jury's deliberation reveals the subjective nature of 'reasonable doubt' and the influence of personal biases on judicial outcomes. Initially leaning toward conviction, the jury is swayed by arguments regarding the privileged nature of doctor-patient communications. Although the defendant's 'doctor' was merely a pretender, the legal principle that conversations between a physician and patient are privileged creates a reasonable doubt. The jury ultimately acquits the accused veterinarian, achieving justice despite the system's flaws. Throughout the novel, Train employs humor and irony to highlight the enduring appeal of legal storytelling. The story culminates in a celebration of the jury system's ability to deliver justice, even when faced with a web of crookedness and bureaucratic irregularities. The narrative concludes with the acquitted defendant enjoying his freedom and the firm reflecting on the complexities of the law, reinforcing the idea that while the system is imperfect, it remains a vital institution for resolving societal conflicts.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Law