Book Description

Sourcebook on the English Legal System is a key collection of primary legal sources,Committee and Commission reports, explanatory documents and articles. A variety of critical articles and commentaries complement and expand upon these materials. Since the first edition of this book in 1996, the English legal system has undergone major and comprehensive changes. As a result of these profound changes, this second edition has been thoroughly updated to include presentation and analysis of three landmark pieces of legislation: the Access to Justice Act 1999, the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998. Other changes abound: the Auld Committee has undertaken a root and branch review of the criminal justice system. The Crown Prosecution Service has been re-organised, the nature of judicial impartiality has been authoritatively defined, the role of the jury has been exposed to intense public and legal debate, liability of advocates for courtroom negligence has been established, the appeals system has been altered, alternative dispute resolution has become a major feature of British life, and European law has continued to widen and deepen its application. The Sourcebook guides the reader through these areas, as well as the more traditional elements of any course on the English legal system, with clarity and insight.