Learned Hands Episode 2: “Rabbit Queen”

Maester Merry and I are back in the saddle again with Episode 2 of Learned Hands: The Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association! In this episode we tackle the judicial record of the Honorable Justice Daenerys Targaryen in "Rabbit Queen: Does the Dany's Meereenese Court use Due Process or Deliver Justice?" Our analysis includes: … Continue reading Learned Hands Episode 2: “Rabbit Queen” →

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Introducing a New Podcast: Learned Hands

Suppose it was always likely to come to this but the apocalypse has made it inevitable. I started a podcast. HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY, CORONAVIRUS. Regardless allow me to launch Learned Hands: The Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, hosted by the inimitable Maester Merry from Up From Under Winterfell and yrs truly. Our first … Continue reading Introducing a New Podcast: Learned Hands →

Guest Appearance #2 on Boiled Leather Audio Hour with Stefan Sasse

Honored to get another chance to talk again with Stefan Sasse about the legal structures of Essos, rule of law, and even a little Westerosi sovereignty. We go in depth about Braavos, Pentos, Volantis, Slaver's Bay, the Dothraki... and we mention Qarth in passing. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and hope you do too! LISTEN … Continue reading Guest Appearance #2 on Boiled Leather Audio Hour with Stefan Sasse →

Guest Appearance on Boiled Leather Audio Hour with Stefan Sasse

I was honored and thrilled to get a chance to guest on BLAH with Stefan Sasse to talk about the marvelously fucked up legal system of Westeros. We covered topics ranging from guest right to classism to sexism to the general application of Rule of Law. Stefan asked some really probing and challenging questions, so … Continue reading Guest Appearance on Boiled Leather Audio Hour with Stefan Sasse →

Guest Appearance on the NotACast: Tyrion II, A Clash of Kings (AKA The Varys’ Riddle Chapter)

Some months ago, I sent the Amen Brothers at the NotACast several litigation threats strongly-worded suggestions to have me on for Tyrion II, ACOK, since it is the chapter with Varys' Riddle and I love it so. Today those ...suggestions bore fruit. It was an honor and a privilege to get a chance to spend … Continue reading Guest Appearance on the NotACast: Tyrion II, A Clash of Kings (AKA The Varys’ Riddle Chapter) →

Offer, Acceptance, Bread & Salt: A Legal Analysis of the Guest Right Contract

Suppose you live in Westeros and you want to visit your neighbors. Great! But your neighbor also lives in Westeros, and Westerosi folks can get a little stabby. Yet, it's important that you and your neighbor have a peaceful conversation about uhhh crops or the state of the Realm or whatever bullshit without losing an appendage. Luckily for you, Westeros has a plan for that called "Guest Right". This practice of allowing guests safe conduct while under a host’s roof in exchange for a cessation of hostilities, is an entirely contractual relationship. One person gives something to another, and that person gives something right back. Like other contracts, there are certain formalities that must be observed for the contract to be properly binding. 

Tyrion Lannister’s Not Great Brushes With Westerosi Criminal Justice

Tyrion Lannister is a bad boy, always finding himself in trouble with the law. As a central figure of both A Song Of Ice And Fire and Game of Thrones, many if not most of the legal conundrums which arise in the main story concern the Imp, Tyrion Lannister. While both of his formal trials to date ended with trial by combat, they also provide the keenest insight we have as to how other trials work in Westeros.  In this essay, I will attempt to explain and analyze the non-combat Trials of Tyrion Lannister from a legal perspective AND deduce which criminal procedure rights (if any) exist during trials in Westeros. This will service this blog's overall aim of determining once and for all the very close question of whether the Westerosi legal system overall is good or bad. This question will require a close reading to tease out the many nuances.