This chapter discusses the procedure for defendants responding to the claim. A defendant who intends to contest proceedings must respond to the claim by filing an acknowledgment of service and/or by filing a defence. Defended claims become subject to the court’s case management system, with the court making provisional track allocation decisions, followed by the parties filing directions questionnaires. If a defendant fails to make any response to a claim a default judgment is usually entered within a relatively short period after service.
Chapter
12. Responding to a Claim
Chapter
II. Matters not requiring proof and judicial findings as evidence
This chapter examines the exceptions to the general rule that all facts in issue, or relevant to the issue, in a given case must be proved by evidence. It shows that sometimes, the judge, or trier of fact, is entitled to find a fact of their own motion: judicial notice may be taken of that fact. Alternatively, a party may formally admit a relevant matter. In addition, a matter may still be determined against a party because the law precludes them from contesting it. They are then ‘estopped’, as when the same matter has been determined against them and in favour of their opponent by a binding and conclusive judgment of a court. Finally, this chapter considers the wider question of the status of judicial findings in other proceedings.
Chapter
12. Responding to a Claim
This chapter discusses the procedure for defendants responding to the claim. A defendant who intends to contest proceedings must respond to the claim by filing an acknowledgment of service and/or by filing a defence. Defended claims become subject to the court’s case management system, with the court making provisional track allocation decisions, followed by the parties filing directions questionnaires. If a defendant fails to make any response to a claim a default judgment is usually entered within a relatively short period after service.
Chapter
41. Judgments and Orders
This chapter discusses the rules on judgments and orders. Although there is likely to be a delay between judgment being pronounced and the judgment being sealed and served, r 40.7(1) of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) provides that judgment in fact takes effect from the day it was given. After a judgment or order has been pronounced by the court, the next step is to have it drawn up. This chapter discusses settlements; orders made at hearings; form of judgments and orders; general rules relating to drawing up orders and judgments; and register of judgments.
Chapter
24. Presenting a Case in Court
This chapter discusses the process of presenting a case in court. It begins with an overview of the trial process, covering the timetable, the claimant's case, the defendant's case, closing speeches, and judgment. It then explains the importance of good presentation and advocacy in winning a case. This involves focusing on the issues on which the judge needs to reach a decision; presenting the case clearly, coherently, and concisely; developing and presenting an overall theory for the case — a single story can be more convincing than a lot of separate arguments; and developing persuasive arguments that pull elements of the case together and deal with any gaps. The remainder of the chapter covers the judgment of the case; the drawing up of orders; and the form of orders.
Chapter
41. Judgments and Orders
This chapter discusses the rules on judgments and orders. Although there is likely to be a delay between judgment being pronounced and the judgment being sealed and served, r 40.7(1) of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) provides that judgment in fact takes effect from the day it was given. After a judgment or order has been pronounced by the court, the next step is to have it drawn up. This chapter discusses settlements; orders made at hearings; form of judgments and orders; general rules relating to drawing up orders and judgments; and register of judgments.
Chapter
9. Authorities – advanced considerations
This chapter discusses what it means to ‘handle precedent’, to ‘interpret statutes’, and to do justice ‘fitted to the needs of the times in which we live’. It provides answers to the following questions: When and how should policy arguments be used? How should foreign case names be pronounced in a moot? What is the correct way to refer to a case? Is it acceptable to give a personal view of the relevant law? When is an authority binding on a moot court? How can one escape from an inconvenient authority? In what circumstances can a case be overruled? How and when can a case be distinguished in law from another? How and when can a case be distinguished on its facts from another? What is the distinction between a judge's finding of fact and his or her decision on the law? What is the status of a judgment of the Divisional Court? Is a ‘Jessel’ better than a ‘Kekewich’? When is a change in the law a matter for Parliament and when is it a matter for the courts?
Book
John Child and David Ormerod
Smith, Hogan, and Ormerod’s Essentials of Criminal Law presents a clear and authoritative discussion of the criminal law, combining authority with supportive learning features. The book engages with all the key topics of criminal law on the typical LLB syllabus, whilst encouraging the development of analytical and assessment skills. Particular attention is paid to student assessment, with end-of-chapter sections offering advice on how to approach essay and problem questions. Short learning and assessment tips are provided throughout the chapters. Key cases are highlighted across chapters which include brief summaries of the main facts and judgment. Each chapter includes a section on reform, introducing important academic criticism of the law.
