A Victorian lawyer's view of a fictional case from the The Pickwick Papers shows how Dickens' wit, combined with a detailed knowledge of the law, produced one of the funniest court cases in fiction When Samuel Pickwick uttered soothing words to Mrs. Bardell in her time of need, he never dreamed that he would find himself in a court of law, in a breach of promise suit. As a parade of his friends did their best as witnesses to help him out of a hole, not always successfully, the other side produced evidence that was manipulated by skillful lawyers to make a cast iron case for Pickwick's guilt. In this lawyerly but witty book, Fitzgerald treats Bardell v. Pickwick as if it were a real case, analyzes the tactics of the various lawyers, and scrutinizes the points of law Dickens made his fictional lawyers present.

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‘Bardell v. Pickwick’ is an episode from Charles Dickens’ classic novel, ‘The Pickwick Papers’. Reminiscent of a John Grisham novel, this work by Charles Dickens is packed full of broken marriage promises, legal documents, clever police sergeants, and a trial by jury. Our hero is accused of breaching the promise of marriage and is taken to trial where the honourable Mr. Justice Stareleigh presides at the City of London courtroom. Is he innocent or will he be proven guilty? Let the trial begin in one of ‘The Pickwick Papers’ most popular episodes. So popular, in fact, it was often dramatized or read aloud as living room entertainment. Regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens is best known for creating some of the world’s best known fictional characters who feature in his most popular novels, including The Artful Dodger in 'Oliver Twist’, Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’, and Miss Havisham in ‘Great Expectations’. Dickens’ timeless novels and short stories are still widely read today and many have been adapted into countless TV programmes and films including the Academy Award-winning musical ‘Oliver’, and 'A Christmas Carol' which well known worldwide and is a huge favourite movie for families to watch together at Christmas time.

When Samuel Pickwick uttered soothing words to Mrs Bardell in her time of need, he never dreamt that he would find himself in a court of law, in a breach of promise suit. As a parade of his friends did their best as witnesses to extricate him from the situation, not always successfully, the other side produced evidence that was manipulated by skilful lawyers to make a cast iron case for Pickwick's guilt. In this lawyerly but witty book, Fitzgerald treats Bardell v Pickwick as if it were a real case, analyses the tactics of the various lawyers and scrutinises the points of law Dickens made his fictional lawyers present.

Differentiated book- It has a historical context with research of the time-Bardell v. Pickwick by Charles Dickens.The trial for breach of marriage promise held at Guildhall Sittings, on April 1, 1828, before Mr. Justice Stareleigh and a City of London special jury. Corners tapped, one of the most famous legal cases in English literature, Bardell v. Pickwick is an episode of The Pickwick Papers (1836-1837) by Charles Dickens [1812-1870] in which the hero becomes the accused for breach of the promise of marriage. Mister Judge Gaselee and Sergeants Snubbin and Buzfuz are among the characters featured here. One of the novel's most popular episodes, it was often dramatized or read aloud as living room entertainment. It also inspired various legal analyzes, Charles Dickens - Charles John Huffam Dickens FRSA (February 7, 1812 - June 9, 1870) He was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is considered by many to be the best novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the 20th century, critics and scholars recognized him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are still widely read today. Born in Portsmouth,

Excerpt from Bardell V. Pickwick: The Trial for Breach of Promise of Marriage Held at the Guildhall Sittings, on April 1, 1828, Before Mr. Justice Stareleigh and a Special Jury of the City of London There are few things more familiar or more interesting to the public than this cause celebre. It is better known than many a real case: for every one knows the Judge, his name and remarks - also the Counsel - (notably Sergeant Buzfuz) - the witnesses, and what they said - and of course all about the Plaintiff and the famous Defendant. It was tried over seventy years ago at "the Guildhall Settings," and was described by Boz some sixty-three years ago. Yet every detail seems fresh - and as fresh as ever. It is astonishing that a purely technical sketch like this, whose humours might be relished only by such specialists as Barristers and Attorneys, who would understand the jokes levelled at the Profession, should be so well understanded of the people. All see the point of the legal satire. It is a quite a prodigy. Boz had the art, in an extraordinary degree, of thus vividly commending trade processes, professional allusions, and methods to outsiders, and making them humourous and intelligible. A witness Jackson, when he came to "serve" Mr. Pickwick and friends with the subpoenas. It is a dry, business-like process, but how racy Boz made it. A joke sparkles in every line.

"Bardell v. Pickwick" by Charles Dickens and Percy Fitzgerald is a satire piece meant to parody an actual legal case covered by Dickens as a reporter. A woman takes a man to court for breach of promise as he allegedly failed to marry her. This funny romp of a tail takes readers on a wild ride through the British legal system as the case unravels in the most preposterous yet satisfying way.

Bardell V. Pickwick, has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations. So that the book is never forgotten we have represented this book in a print format as the same form as it was originally first published. Hence any marks or annotations seen are left intentionally to preserve its true nature.