Legal Systems & Skills

English Legal System gives an understanding of the operation of the law and the legal system which is essential to the laying of a solid foundation upon which to build further legal studies. After offering practical advice on how to study the English Legal System, an overview is given of the nature of law, the sources of law, how the English legal system operates, the courts of England and Wales, and some of the important institutions and personnel of the law. How legislation is made and how it is interpreted is discussed. How judges make law and how this process is governed by the doctrine of judicial precedent are explored. The rule coming from a case, the ratio decidendi, and other statements of law, obiter dicta, are explained. The book considers the impact of membership of the European Union (EU) and being a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The institutions and personnel of the law, such as juries, judges, and lawyers are covered. The criminal process, from arrest to trial to sentencing, is explained and analysed. Resolution of disputes through the civil courts and tribunals is explained, as is the civil process. Alternative methods of dispute resolution, e.g. mediation and arbitration are also considered.Less

The English Legal System presents the main areas of the legal system and encourages a critique of the wider aspects of how law is made and reformed. The book is structured in five parts. Part I looks at the sources of law including domestic and international sources. Part II looks at the courts and the practitioners. It considers the structure of the courts and tribunals, judges and judicial independence, the legal professions, and funding legal services. Part III examines the criminal justice system. It describes issues related to lay justice, trials, and criminal appeals. The next part is about the civil justice system. It looks at civil litigation, remedies, appeals and alternative dispute resolution. The final part looks to the future.Less

English Legal System gives an understanding of the operation of the law and the legal system which is essential to the laying of a solid foundation upon which to build further legal studies. After offering practical advice on how to study the English Legal System, an overview is given of the nature of law, the sources of law, how the English legal system operates, the courts of England and Wales, and some of the important institutions and personnel of the law. How legislation is made and how it is interpreted is discussed. How judges make law and how this process is governed by the doctrine of judicial precedent are explored. The rule coming from a case, the ratio decidendi, and other statements of law, obiter dicta, are explained. The book considers the impact of membership of the European Union (EU) and being a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The institutions and personnel of the law, such as juries, judges, and lawyers are covered. The criminal process, from arrest to trial to sentencing, is explained and analysed. Resolution of disputes through the civil courts and tribunals is explained, as is the civil process. Alternative methods of dispute resolution, e.g. mediation and arbitration are also considered.Less

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. English Legal Systems Concentrate starts with an introduction to the English legal system (ELS). It then looks at sources of law: domestic legislation, case law, and the effect of EU and international law. The text also examines the court structure. It then looks at personnel of the ELS. It moves on to consider the criminal justice system and the civil justice system. After that it looks at funding access to the ELS. Finally, it looks to the future of the ELS.Less

English Legal System in Context takes an analytical approach to the subject of the English Legal System. Frequent examples are incorporated throughout the text, illustrating the link between theory and practice. Traditional core areas are covered, such as the courts, case law, legal professionals, and civil and criminal proceedings. However, the chapters also discuss areas such as the role of private policing and the work of non-police agencies, giving a balanced overview of the subject area. Additionally, the text provides references for students who want to gain a deeper understanding of the legal system.Less

Introduction to the English Legal System 2017-2018 has been fully updated to consider the latest developments in the English legal system. The theme which dominates the new edition is that of transformation. The criminal (Chapter 5), the administrative (Chapter 6), the family (Chapter 7), and the civil (Chapter 8) justice systems are all starting a process of structural reform designed to enable them to operate more efficiently; this will include major investment in the use of IT in the delivery of court and tribunal services. Major changes to the ways in which the legal profession is regulated are also discussed (Chapter 9), and new enquiries designed to control the cost of litigating are outlined (Chapter 10). The outcome of the referendum on leaving the European Union (Brexit), although noted, is not considered at length: although there will be major change in the future, its form currently not known and for the time being, things remain the same (Chapter 3). The book starts by introducing themes and structure, after which Part II looks at law society and authority and considers the purpose and functions of law. Part III examines the institutional framework and looks into the role of government, the criminal justice system, the administrative justice system, the family justice system, and the civil and commercial justice system; Part IV describes the delivery and funding of legal services; and Part V offers a reflection on the process of transformation and the challenges it should address.Less

Introduction to the English Legal System 2018–2019 has been fully updated to consider the latest developments in the English legal system. The focus is on transformation. The criminal (Chapter 5), the administrative (Chapter 6), the family (Chapter 7), and the civil and commercial (Chapter 8) justice systems are all engaged in a process of change designed to enable them to operate more efficiently; this will include major investment in the use of IT in the delivery of court and tribunal services. Developments in the ways in which the legal profession is regulated are also discussed (Chapter 9), and the results of enquiries designed to control the cost of litigating are considered (Chapter 10). Progress with Brexit is noted, although its final form and its impact on the English legal system are not yet known (Chapter 3). The book starts by introducing themes and structure, after which Part II looks at law society and authority and considers the purpose and functions of law. Part III examines the institutional framework and looks into the role of government, the criminal justice system, the administrative justice system, the family justice system, and the civil and commercial justice systems; Part IV describes the delivery and funding of legal services; and Part V offers a reflection on the process of transformation and the challenges it should address.Less

Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. The Legal System provides an overview of the institutions, personnel, and procedures that make up the legal system in England and Wales. Current changes are explained and critically evaluated, and the text explores a number of key competing themes and underlying tensions that run through the legal system. These are identified in the first chapter and then illustrated through concise exposition and practical examples in the following substantive chapters. Brief summaries at the beginning of each chapter enable students to assess the key points of study quickly and easily. New material on the Unified Tribunal System is included in Chapter 2 on the organisation of the courts; changes to judicial appointments are outlined and comparisons are drawn with the old system to aid students’ understanding of the new rules; and the new Supreme Court is explained, compared, and analysed in relation to the previous system. This edition features a slight reduction in the coverage of police powers ensuring that the book matches more closely with the topics covered on undergraduate law courses.Less