This book offers a vivid and convincing insight into the Higher Justiciary--the High Court judges of Britain--by surveying the career of Sir Oliver Popplewell. His career goes a long way to explode myths and to show what judges are really like – impartial, skilled in the law, above party politics certainly, but intensely human. Tracing Popplewell"s career from the junior Bar to his appointment to the High Court Bench, Benchmarks touches on high profile cases, including the Jonathan Aitken libel trial and the enquiry into the tragic fire at Bradford City football grounds.