Subjects:

English Legal System

Contents:

1 Introduction - the Royal Courts of Justice

2 The Law and its Importance

3 The Invisible Palace - Part 1: Judge-Made Law - Common Law and Equity

4 The Invisible Palace - Part 2: The Constitution

5 The Palace of Westminster: Our Chief Law Makers - Parliament

6 Our Chief Law Enforcers - the Police

7 Our Law Upholders - the Judiciary

8 The Legal Profession

9 Solicitors

10 Barristers

11 The Work of the Courts - Part 1: The Courts

12 The Work of the Courts - Part 2: Criminal and Civil Cases

13 Judges

14 Legal Robes

15 Criminal Trials through the Ages

16 Punishments through the Ages

17 Criminal Trials Today

18 Punishments Today

19 Human Rights

20 Discrimination and the Law

21 Young Persons

22 Dangerous Drugs

23 Animals

24 Laws around the World

25 Some Interesting Cases

Understanding the Law is an engaging and accessible introduction to the law. Geoffrey Rivlin provides a wealth of fascinating detail about the legal system and the many people who participate in it, from judges to MPs and police officers.

The book describes how laws are made and how cases are tried, and includes chapters on the principles involved in the administration of justice, the development of the common law, the constitution, legal professions, and courts. An updated selection of real-life cases help bring the book to life, and there are questions to accompany each chapter to encourage the reader to engage with the material.

This book is ideal for anyone considering a career in the law, preparing for university, or embarking on a law course at school or college.

• Fully updated to include several new cases in the final chapter of the book, including the Catherine Zeta Jones case, giving the reader an up-to-date introduction to the workings of the English legal system
• Includes lots of new examples to illustrate the descriptions and further engage the reader
• Includes extended coverage on judicial precedent, human rights, and European law