Slapper and Kelly's The English Legal System 19e

Slapper and Kelly’s The English Legal System explains and critically assesses how our law is made and applied. Trusted by generations of academics and students, this authoritative textbook clearly describes the legal rules of England and Wales and their collective influence as a sociocultural institution.

This latest edition has been extensively restructured and updated, providing up-to-date and reliable analysis of recent developments that have an impact on the legal system in England and Wales.

Key learning features include:

useful chapter summaries which act as a good check point for students;
‘food for thought’ questions at the end of each chapter to prompt critical thinking and reflection;
sources for further reading and suggested websites at the end of each chapter to point students towards further learning pathways; and
an online skills network including how tos, practical examples, tips, advice and interactive examples of English law in action.
Relied upon by generations of students, this book is a permanent fixture in this ever-evolving subject.


1. Law and Legal Study 2. The Rule of Law and Human Rights 3. Sources of Law: Legislation 4. Sources of Law: Case Law 5. Sources of Law: The European Context 6. The Civil Courts 7. The Civil Process 8. Family Law and Courts 9. The Criminal Courts 10. The Criminal Process: (1) The Investigation of Crime 11. The Criminal Process: (2) The Prosecution 12. The Judiciary 13. Judicial Reasoning and Politics 14. The Jury 15. Arbitration, Tribunal Adjudication and Alternative Dispute Resolution 16. Legal Services 17. The Funding of Legal Services