Product Description

The authors explain and discuss how the justice system evolved, the way it operates - including vivid descriptions of the trial process - and how lawyers work. Revised and updated throughout for this fifth edition, THE LAW MACHINE surveys recent developments in the workings of justice and the outlook for the future. 'Refreshingly free of the patronizing attitude and the humbug with which other books about the legal system are riddled' - THES

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37666 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
Marcel Berlins, a former practising lawyer, has written several books and presented a number of television series, including The Law Machine. He presents 'Law in Action' on BBC Radio 4 and writes a weekly legal column in the Guardian. Clare Dyer, asolicitor, is legal correspondent of the Guardian and the British Medical Journal.

Customer Reviews

A nice introduction to the English Legal System
"The Law Machine" by Marcel Berlins and Clare Dyer, is an introductory book regarding the law, which is an intrinsic part of a nation. Without having any prior legal knowledge of English legal system whatsoever, it gave me good groundings upon the everchanging respective field. For that reason, the book that is to be considered must be fully updated- that actually it was. Basically, inspired by a television programme, it explains The Criminal and Civil process of law, using the case portrayed in the television. The author explicitly enunciates the judicial hierarchy, and then goes on to describes the lawyers. The author has honestly touched every part of law from confused and struggling novice barristers to well-paid solicitors, and the dominancy of barristers in the judiciary. This was the first book I used for an introductory reading and it acquainted me with much of basic knowledge that I was lacking and most of my questions have been answered. The language used by the authors is generally simple, though the book sometimes seems to be a bit turgid. Nonetheless, the reason for which I bought the book, that is to gain an acquaintanceship with the English Legal System has been, without a doubt, been fulfilled. To be succinct, its a reliable introductory law book.

Invaluable to the law degree beginner
Few writers manage accurately guide the reader through the maze that is the English Legal System. Perhaps, even fewer manage to present it in the logical and comprehensible manner that most, new, law students require. The Law Machine offers a complete overview of the English Legal System from the frontline Citizens Advice Bureaux to highest, domestic court, the House of Lords, It provides detailed factual information and well-reasoned critique of the issues and problems, that are continually moulding the development of our legal system. For me, the Law Machine's strength lies in the fact that unlike so many legal textbooks its not wholly rooted in the past. The Law machine looks to the future, to introduction of a Criminal Defence Service, the increasingly unsustainable split legal professions and the recent incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights. In essence, it is a book that is an invaluable introduction to the English Legal System, well-suited to students of A-Level law and law degree undergradutes. There's hope out there for all us law students and it begins here.

A very good starter text
This is not a book for the advanced law student but why they want it anyway. For those taking an A level or starting on a degree course it gives an excellent initial guide to the legal maze and will make further studies much easier. Its layout takes you through legal and civil case scenarios in a virtual story book form.Its a fairly east way to assimilate the basics of the English Legal System and I would definitely encourage the beginer to read it