A Field Guide to the Birds of Australian Law is a bird's eye view of our legal system. The legal universe is explained by looking at the bird species that inhabit it, each one having its own approach to the law they practice. Law and birds have a long association. Some we know well already, such as ‘the beaks’ as the old judges, and Jailbirds, and Stool Pigeons. In this guide, we learn about important species such as the Pointless Warbler, the Jowly Babbler, and a close relative of the Spoonbills and Hornbills, the Small Legal Bill (which may be extinct).

The Field Guide describes the myth of the Australian Legal Eagle, and the supernatural aura possessed by the Esteemed Merlin. It traces the history of our birds of the law, from the colonial era to the present day. The birds of the law, fly, nest, crash, and are predatory on each other as they look for ever better nesting. This book is the definitive and most reliable guide to the lawyers who brief you, your opponents at the bar table, and what to look for in a judge, magistrate, or tribunal member. It explains the Old Guard, the Birds of Pay, and illustrates the pain of working with or against an Angry Bird. You will stand in awe in of the The Great Chocolate Wheel of Judicial Appointments and be bewitched by the Birds of Paradox.

This guide is a conversation starter in the coffee queue, or when waiting to catch the crowded lift to your office, or a talking point with a new instructor. It will very definitely help your family understand your working world. It is meticulously researched with the same attention to footnoting as you will find in any High Court decision, it is so easy to read and laugh at the advocacy stumbles and the acerbic exchanges between bench and twittering counsel.

This is also the best book you could ever gift or buy, if you cannot face another anthology of political cartoons or sport related biographies. The Field Guide to the Birds of Australian Law will warm your heart, as it is easy to follow, yet authoritative at the same time. It will very quickly become a new source of your favourite quotes.

Give copies to your legal, medical, accounting, IT and engineering friends. Handwrite a note to each of them, that says: “Here at last is a guide that properly explains the legal profession".
Buy it now. Buy multiple copies. You will be so glad you did.