A language guide for judges is a window into modern Britain

The main chapters deal with characteristics such as disability, race, sex and so on. An appendix of shorter sections includes pen portraits of Jains, Jehovah’s Witnesses and other religious groups, as well as the various nationalities and health conditions that may confront a judge. It explains, for example, that Indian Hindus should not be addressed by family names; that a Rastafarian should not be asked to remove his head covering; and, helpfully, that “belief or non-belief in religion should not be confused with having, or not having, a moral compass.”