Description

“The latest edition of Smith and Keenan’s English Law cannot fail to impress once again. This comprehensive introductory law text is a dependable companion for every non-law student and layman alike. The new authors are to be commended for successfully carrying on the tradition upon which the book's excellent reputation was built.”

Andrea Cerevkova, Senior Lecturer in Law, Edge Hill University. 

 

“Smith and Keenan's English Law is the most comprehensive text on English law available on the market. Suitable for students at all levels.”

Lachmi Singh, University of the West of England

  

Have you ever wondered what exactly constitutes an unwritten constitution? What your rights are as an employee? When a contractual agreement is binding?

 

Well-known for its uniquely comprehensive coverage of the legal system and the main, substantive areas of English law, Smith and Keenan’s English Law is the definitive introduction to the law of the land and an all-purpose reference guide for students and professionals alike.   

Features

• The text includes an extensive section on the defining cases and legal materials that underpin the law and are vital to an understanding of the relevant subject area. Clear headnotes, verbatim extracts, incisive summaries of the legal principles derived from these sources and expert commentary will help you to quickly get to grips with the leading authorities. 
• A handy glossary defines the legal terms most commonly used in everyday practice.

New to this Edition

In addition to the latest developments in case and statute law, the seventeenth edition includes these important updates: 

• Part 1 on 'The English Legal System' has been substantially revised to give a clearer picture the way the law operates today, including a more in-depth exploration of the English common law, the country’s unwritten constitution, the legal profession, and the recent emergence of Alternative Business Structures (ABS).
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), an area of growing importance with far-reaching implications, is explored for the first time, examining the various procedures which have been grouped together under this umbrella term (i.e. negotiation, mediation and arbitration).
• The chapters dealing with the Law of Torts have been reworked to include greater consideration of case law and judicial thinking in the area. In addition, a section of nervous shock (psychiatric harm) has been introduced.
• The chapters on Employment Law have been expanded in order to give a more complete picture of the potential issues which may be faced by both employers and employees, including an analysis of the contract of employment, the termination of employment, and issues of discrimination in the workplace. The impact of the Equality Act 2010 is considered in detail throughout.

Table of Contents

Part 1 The english legal system

 

1. The nature and development of English law  

2. The unwritten constitution

3. The law-making process: legislation and case law

4. The courts of law   

5. Other courts, tribunals and judicial review   

6. Alternative Dispute Resolution

7. The main legal professions

8. Legal services

9. Criminal procedure  

10. Civil procedure   

11. The Human Rights Act   

12. Persons and the Crown   

  

Part 2 European union law

 

13. The legislative organs of the European Union 

14. Sources of European Union law   

15. Jurisdiction in personam: the Brussels regime  

 

Part 3 The law of contract

 

16. Making the contract I: offer and acceptance

17. Making the contract II: consideration and estoppel   

18. Making the contract III: formalities and capacity

19. Reality of consent: mistake, misrepresentation and duress   

20. Contractual terms

21. Exclusion clauses and other unfair terms

22. Illegality, public policy and competition law  

23. Discharge of contract  

24. Remedies and limitation of actions

 

Part 4 The law of torts

 

25. The law of torts: general principles  

26. Tort of negligence  

27. Torts relating to property

28. Miscellaneous torts 

29. Defences and remedies in tort

 

Part 5 The law of property

 

30. The law of property

 

Part 6 Criminal law

 

31. Criminal law: general principles  

32. Speci?c offences  

33. Age and responsibility: general defences

 

Part 7 Employment law

 

34. The contract of employment  

35. Workplace discrimination

36. Termination of contract of employment 

 

Part 8 Cases and materials

 

Back Cover

“The latest edition of Smith and Keenan’s English Law cannot fail to impress once again. This comprehensive introductory law text is a dependable companion for every non-law student and layman alike. The new authors are to be commended for successfully carrying on the tradition upon which the book's excellent reputation was built.”

Andrea Cerevkova, Senior Lecturer in Law, Edge Hill University. 

 

“Smith and Keenan's English Law is the most comprehensive text on English law available on the market. Suitable for students at all levels. ”

Lachmi Singh, University of the West of England

 

Have you ever wondered what exactly constitutes an unwritten constitution? What your rights are as an employee? When a contractual agreement is binding?

 

Well-known for its uniquely comprehensive coverage of the legal system and the main, substantive areas of English law, Smith and Keenan’s English Law is the definitive introduction to the law of the land and an all-purpose reference guide for students and professionals alike.   

 

In addition to the latest developments in case and statute law, the seventeenth edition includes these important updates: 

• Part 1 on 'The English Legal System' has been substantially revised to give a clearer picture the way the law operates today, including a more in-depth exploration of the English common law, the country’s unwritten constitution, the legal profession, and the recent emergence of Alternative Business Structures (ABS).
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), an area of growing importance with far-reaching implications, is explored for the first time, examining the various procedures which have been grouped together under this umbrella term (i.e. negotiation, mediation and arbitration).
• The chapters dealing with the Law of Torts have been reworked to include greater consideration of case law and judicial thinking in the area. In addition, a section of nervous shock (psychiatric harm) has been introduced.
• The chapters on Employment Law have been expanded in order to give a more complete picture of the potential issues which may be faced by both employers and employees, including an analysis of the contract of employment, the termination of employment, and issues of discrimination in the workplace. The impact of the Equality Act 2010 is considered in detail throughout.

Key features:

• The text includes an extensive section on the defining cases and legal materials that underpin the law and are vital to an understanding of the relevant subject area. Clear headnotes, verbatim extracts, incisive summaries of the legal principles derived from these sources and expert commentary will help you to quickly get to grips with the leading authorities. 
• A handy glossary defines the legal terms most commonly used in everyday practice.

Professor Charles Wild (PhD, MBA, LLM) is Dean of the School of Law and Head of the Centre for International Law at the University of Hertfordshire. He teaches Company Law to LLB and LLM students, undertakes postgraduate research supervision and is widely published in the area.

 

Stuart Weinstein (JD, MBA) is Associate Dean (Research & Commercial Enterprise) of the Law School at the University of Hertfordshire and is also a practising solicitor/attorney with over twenty years’ practice experience in the US, UK and Korea. He regularly teaches accountants and non-lawyers in the UK and on overseas programmes throughout the world.

 

Author

Professor Charles Wild (PhD, MBA, LLM) is Dean of the School of Law and Head of the Centre for International Law at the University of Hertfordshire. He teaches Company Law to LLB and LLM students, undertakes postgraduate research supervision and is widely published in the area.

 

Stuart Weinstein (JD, MBA) is Associate Dean (Research & Commercial Enterprise) of the Law School at the University of Hertfordshire and is also a practising solicitor/attorney with over twenty years’ practice experience in the US, UK and Korea. He regularly teaches accountants and non-lawyers in the UK and on overseas programmes throughout the world.