McPherson Lecture Series Volume 1: On Villainy

This is the inaugural volume in an annual series inaugurated by the University of Queensland's Law School. It is based on the famous Hamlyn Lecture Series in England. The McPherson series will host a celebrated international scholar/legal expert to deliver a series of 3 lectures.These three gripping essays look at the legal issues and ramifications of identity theft and financial fraud. The first essay considers fraudulent impersonation.In the second essay, 'Villainy in Venice', he takes Shakespeare's classic play, 'The Merchant of Venice', and deconstructs the pivotal trial scene in which Portia, posing as a judge, uses adversarial techniques to decide the case.In the third essay, Lord Millett examines the nature of circular financial transactions and traces the case law from the early years to modern times.