#Review: The Lawful and the Awful by Tushar Mehta

I picked up The Lawful and the Awful expecting a dense legal commentary, but what I encountered instead was a surprisingly lively and deeply human exploration of the judicial world. What makes the book engaging is not merely the subject matter, but the manner in which it dismantles the intimidating aura often associated with courts and judges. Through eccentric anecdotes, historical episodes, courtroom wit, and sharply observed personalities, Tushar Mehta reveals that the legal system is not built only on solemnity and precedent, but also on ego, humour, absurdity, and occasionally, astonishing theatricality.

I found the structure particularly effective. The essays are arranged almost like curated conversations, each chapter focusing on a different aspect of judicial culture — from bizarre judges and poetic judgments to courtroom sarcasm and unusual constitutional moments. The progression never feels academic for the sake of sounding intellectual. Instead, it reads like a seasoned insider guiding the reader through corridors usually inaccessible to outsiders.

What stayed with me most was the author’s tone. There is wit, certainly, but never cruelty. Even while discussing eccentric behaviour or flawed judicial personalities, the writing avoids sensationalism. The references to real cases, historical incidents, and courtroom exchanges lend the book credibility without making it feel overloaded with legal jargon.

It’s amazing how accessible the book remains for non-law readers. It does not demand legal expertise; it simply asks for curiosity. By the end, I felt I had not merely read about the law, but glimpsed the strange, deeply human world that exists behind judicial robes and courtroom rituals.

Find this book here.