NCJ Number
45525
Date Published
1976
Length
207 pages
Annotation
AN ANECDOTAL OVERVIEW OF THE ENGLISH COURT SYSTEM IS PRESENTED TO ACQUAINT THE LAY READER WITH ITS DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROCEDURES GOVERNING THE INDIVIDUAL'S ROLE IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PROCEEDINGS.
Abstract
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION ABOUT COURT ETIQUETTE, OBTAINING COUNSEL, AND DEALING WITH PUBLICITY IS PROVIDED. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENGLISH LEGAL SYSTEM IS TRACED FROM THE TIME OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR TO THE REFORMS OF THE 1870'S AND 1970'S. THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MODERN HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE AND ITS DIVISIONS ARE EXAMINED TOGETHER WITH THE AREAS OF LEGAL AUTHORITY OF THE CROWN COURTS, THE COURT OF APPEAL, THE HOUSE OF LORDS, THE PRIVY COUNCIL, THE RESTRICTIVE PRACTICES COURT, THE COUNTY COURT, THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS, CORONERS, AND DOMESTIC COURTS AND TRIBUNALS. THE INDIVIDUAL'S ROLE AS JUROR, INCLUDING SELECTION AND QUALIFICATION AND DISQUALIFICATION PROCEDURES, THROUGH TRIAL SUMMATION AND THE CONSIDERATION OF THE VERDICT IS DISCUSSED. A HYPOTHETICAL CASE ELUCIDATES THE SUMMONING OF THE WITNESS, WITNESS FEES AND EXPENSES, OATHS OF AFFIRMATION, RULES OF EVIDENCE, CROSS-EXAMINATION, AND THE CONCEPTS OF PERJURY AND SELF-INCRIMINATION. ALTHOUGH LITIGATION IS OFTEN BEST AVOIDED, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE HIGH LEGAL COSTS, LITIGATION MAY BE NECESSARY WHEN NO SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN PARTIES MAY BE REACHED. THE PROCEDURES FOR INITIATING LITIGATION, THE PURPOSE OF THE SUMMONS FOR DIRECTIONS, AND RESOURCES FOR HIGH COURT PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES AND PERTINENT LAWS ARE REVIEWED. DOCUMENTS USED DURING THE LITIGATION PROCESS ARE REPRODUCED. FINALLY, CRIMINAL COURT PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES ARE ELUCIDATED; THE RIGHTS OF THE DEFENDANT ARE EXAMINED; AND SENTENCING, TYPES OF SENTENCES, AND PLEA BARGAINING ARE DISCUSSED. (JAP)