The Ouija board jury incident of 1994 is one of the most disconcerting in English legal history, possibly (says the author) ‘the nadir of reported juror misbehaviour in the 20th-century’. But, as Professor Jeremy Gans shows, in an era of soundbites it has been distorted by the media whilst even eminent lawyers have sometimes got the story wrong. In this first full-length treatment he emphasises the known facts, the constitutional dilemma of investigating even bizarre jury misbehaviour and how the trial involved one of the most serious murder cases of the decade in which two people were shot in cold blood. Stephen Young’s conviction after a re-trial is still claimed to be a miscarriage of justice by some people, as to which Gans puts forward his own ingenious solution. But quite apart from analysing the facts of R v Young, this book is a tour de force on jury misbehaviour in which the author also examines the implications for example of winks and nods, research by jurors, speaking or listening out of turn, going to sleep during the hearing or falling in love with one of the advocates. Amusing at first sight, such events involve deep questions of law, practice and democratic involvement in the Criminal Justice process. Far from being a mere anecdote, the case of the Ouija board jurors, the misconceptions about it and the issues it leads to deserve close study by anyone who is even remotely interested in jury trial. The first full length treatment of an iconic case. Dispels the myths that have built-up around it. Looks at other instances of jury misbehaviour. Shows how the courts and Parliament have wrestled with problems of this kind. A first-rate analysis of a baffling double murder.

John Spencer has worked at Cambridge University for over 40 years. He has lectured, supervised – and entertained – students in tort, contract, crime, medical law and criminal procedure and evidence. This book is a tribute to Professor Spencer, but it is different from the usual tribute in that it contains case notes written and selected by the author himself and all published in the Cambridge Law Journal (CLJ) between 1970 and 2013. With the exception of one note, which is somewhat longer, the articles are taken from the case note section of the CLJ which, until fairly recently, imposed a strict word limit of 1000 words and no more (the complexity of the cases and the prolixity of the judges led to the CLJ relaxing this rule to 1500 words). The case notes reproduced here provide a master-class in the writing of incisive, engaging notes. Written with students in mind but also intended for the consumption and edification of a wider audience, these case notes epitomise the way in which Professor Spencer has, for 43 years, cajoled, lambasted and encouraged the judiciary to see things his way.

Unlocking the English Legal System will help you grasp the main concepts of the legal system in England and Wales with ease. Containing accessible explanations in clear and precise terms that are easy to understand, it provides an excellent foundation for learning and revising. This new edition offers a brand-new chapter on ‘Ethics and Law’ which details the duties and responsibilities of lawyers and introduces law students to the kinds of ethical dilemmas that they may encounter when they are lawyers. The up-to-date ongoing debates surrounding UK law are discussed, such as the impact Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic have, and continue to have, upon the English Legal System. Further detail on the devolution settlements in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales is provided as well as looking at the question of Scottish independence. Learn how to read cases and statutes, about career skills and interview preparation, and find out further information on how the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) will operate and the reaction it’s received from law schools. There is also focus on the impact of racism in the criminal justice system, the new Sentencing Code introduced in 2020, and how technology is changing the way the English Legal System operates. The books in the Unlocking the Law series get straight to the point and offer clear and concise coverage of the law, broken down into bite-size sections with regular recaps to boost your confidence. They provide complete coverage of both core and popular optional law modules, presented in an innovative and visual format.

Key Facts Key Cases: English Legal System will ensure you grasp the main concepts of your English Legal System module with ease. This book explains in concise and straightforward terms: • Discussion of the courts system, both civil and criminal; • Details of the tribunal system • The doctrine of precedent • Statutory interpretation • Personnel in the legal system, both professional and lay Key Facts Key Cases is the essential series for anyone studying law at LLB, postgraduate and conversion courses and professional courses such as ILEX. The series provides the simplest and most effective way to absorb and retain all of the material essential for passing your exams. Each chapter includes: diagrams at the start of chapters to summarise key points structured headings and numbered points to allow for clear recall of the essential points charts and tables to break down more complex information Where relevant, chapters also contain a Key Cases section which provides the simplest and most effective way to absorb and memorise essential cases needed for exam success. Essential and leading cases are explained The style, layout and explanations are user friendly Cases are broken down into key components by use of a clear system of symbols for quick and easy visual recognition

Cover all the AQA AS level topics clearly with this textbook written by the leading A level Law author. Up to date, accessible and now with more past papers to prepare students for their exams, AQA Law for AS, Fifth Edition, is matched to the course. Jacqueline Martin has helped hundreds of thousands be successful in studying law. She has ensured that this book addresses every topic in detail. Revised to reflect recent changes in the legal system, in areas such civil cases, legal profession, legal aid, sentencing and jury service

This volume covers the essential and leading cases and other materials within the English legal system. It ensures students are exposed regularly to primary sources in abridged form.

Knowledge of the English legal system is the cornerstone to every law degree in England and Wales. Unlocking the English Legal System will ensure that you grasp the main concepts with ease, providing you with this essential foundation.

This fully updated and accessible textbook combines Year 1 and Year 2 content for the refreshed OCR specification with brand new cases, activities and features to provide comprehensive support for the A level course. Written by experts Nigel Briggs, Nick Price and Richard Wortley, and edited by Sue Teal, the content is carefully tailored to the OCR specification. - Develop conceptual understanding with full coverage of all topics in the OCR A level specification in one book. - Establish a firm understanding with key term definitions and tables of relevant cases and legislation for each topic. - Build sound knowledge and analysis throughout the course with knowledge-based questions and revision summaries at the end of each chapter. This Student Book is endorsed by OCR - This title fully supports the specification - It has passed OCR's rigorous quality assurance programme - It is written by curriculum experts

Until recently English law has lacked any specific, generally applicable, guarantees of religious rights. Thus, bodies of law have developed in particular areas where religious interests arise but without a common legal frame. The Human Rights Act 1998, however, has brought the guarantees of the European Convention on Human Rights, most specifically the guarantees of religious rights, non-discrimination, and education rights, more fully into English law. As well as showing how one legal system has engaged with international obligations in respect of religious rights, this text provides a valuable source for comparative study of religious interests in national jurisdictions. It explores the particular response of the English legal system when faced with religious difference, and considers the extent to which the Human Rights Act may produce significant legal change. The text is aimed specifically at both the legal and non-legal reader, and concludes with a discussion of how to use English legal sources, and an extensive bibliography.

Modern Criminal Law of Australia, 2nd edition is a comprehensive guide to interpreting and understanding every statutory offence provision in every Australian jurisdiction. The text takes a unique approach to explaining Australian criminal law, emphasising the importance of statutory interpretation, official discretion, element analysis and sentencing, in order to appreciate the meaning and effect of any offence provision. This book sets out the rules and skills needed to advise clients on the potential application of criminal law throughout Australia. Its scope extends to both serious and minor regulatory regimes, as well as the entire contemporary breadth of criminal law, ranging from pollution to public order, traffic to trafficking, and domestic violence to work safety. It covers the common law, traditional code and model code systems, and includes detailed examples from all states. As such, this unique book provides students with the skills to practice law anywhere in Australia.