What is the role of the judge? To simply mete out justice, moving on to the next case, or something more profound and productive? What role can (and should) a judge play in the repair of a dysfunctional life?

After a long career at the Bar and on the Bench, John Samuels discovered that the mentoring role he unexpectedly undertook for his pupils could also apply to those sentenced by a judge. Such a role is arguably invaluable to a society seeking to curb the expansion of its prison system by properly rehabilitating its offenders. 

Interwoven with a personal history and journey of discovery, Mentor and Monitor identifies a positive route for rehabilitation, while offering fascinating insights into the inner workings of the English Justice system and a broad and distinguished legal career.

"HH John Samuels' untiring belief in people's potential demonstrates that true justice isn't just about punishment – it's also about redemption, second chances, and the transformative power of mentorship."   —Steve Gallant QGM (Queen's Gallantry Medal)

Born at the height of the Battle of Britain in 1940, John Samuels always aspired to be an advocate. His subsequent conventional career, as barrister and later as both part-time and full-time judge, hardly acknowledged the role which education would play in his own development, or in the path he unexpectedly played in the careers of others; nor the extent to which his accidental discovery of judicial monitoring would promote the rehabilitation of those determined to change their own lives for the better. Mentor and Monitor is John’s first book.