How the Law Works

by gary-slapper

A clear, accessible and irreverent guide to how the UK’s legal machine works.

Traditionally, the Law has been shrouded in mystery, and to most of us, it seems impenetrable and hugely complicated. But in today’s world, our need to understand it is rapidly growing. Existing book are either dry, academic, aimed solely at student readerships, esoteric in style, or argumentative for this or that change in the law.

How the Law Works is different. It offers clear, critical and intelligent coverage to enable us to make sense of those things that matter most to us in our day-to-day life, and which are discussed in current affairs.

Anyone who wants to know about Law or who has come up against the legal system in one way or another needs this book.

Genres: Law, Philosophy

374 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2007

Reviews

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Factual overview of the UK legal system, undeniably informative if not questionably interesting. Slightly banal at times, but perhaps that's the liability of reading a law textbook for fun... That said, I appreciated the discussion of interesting cases, ranging from very old to modern. It's amazing how little we're taught about our legal system, how it works and the laws that govern us. How the Law Works is a good starting point to understand the fundamentals and some demonstrative case law.

[Xu Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The judge and jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr: "The life of the law has not been logic: it has been experience. The felt necessities of the time, the prevalent moral and political theories, intuitions of public policy, avowed or unconscious, even the prejudices, which judges whare with their fellow-men, have had a good deal more to do than the syllogism in determining the rules by which men should be governed."

[Dipra Lahiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb introduction to the law and the legal system in Britain. The philosophical underpinnings of the need for law is clear and persuasive, the details of the legal system can be a grind at times, and the reward for having read so far, is a delightful ending, with 'lists' covering literary classics, remarkable witnesses, great lawyers, law school witticisms etc.

[Alison Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Extremely well written for someone just starting with a law degree to understand. I’m sure I’ll go back to it throughout my studies

[Huey (huey at orreadi dot com) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should have read this years ago.

[Douglas Forslund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great review of UK law for those interested. It is very readable and enjoyable as compared to other works in law. Slapper has done a great job in summarizing the UK common law system and explained it's inner workings. An essential read if you have to study anything adjacent or simply reach a common sense understanding of UK law.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clear and readable book about UK law, ideal for anyone who is looking for a good general book on the subject. Gary Slapper has a very clear style and manages to make interesting, what is for most people a pretty stodgy subject. He manages to liven the subject up by making use of many examples of real life cases which have been carefully chosen to enlighten the reader.

Maybe the title should have been more explicit, i.e. 'How the Law Works in the UK', however as long as the reader is clear about the scope of the book they should not be disappointed.

Chapter Headings are: The Importance of Law; Judges; Lawyers; Cases and the Courts; Case Technique; Interpreting Acts of Parliament; Types of Law; The Jury; Language and Law; European Law; Miscellany.

[Brendan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written book. Slapper makes an otherwise mundane topic interesting by adding stimulating cases and funny anecdotes. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning how English law works.

[Ksenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and humorous.