This volume serves as the definitive procedural and substantive guide for legal practitioners navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Authors David Ormerod and Karl Laird provide a comprehensive framework that integrates statutory law, case law, and procedural rules into a singular, accessible resource. The text is designed to assist barristers, solicitors, and judges in applying legal principles to real-world courtroom scenarios with precision and authority.

Legal professionals widely regard this text as the primary reference work for criminal litigation in its jurisdiction. Readers frequently note the high density of the prose and the meticulous attention to procedural detail required for active courtroom practice.