Author Description

Fully Revised And Updated, This Classic Text Provides The Authoritative Introduction To The History Of The English Common Law. The Book Traces The Development Of The Principal Features Of English Legal Institutions And Doctrines From Anglo-saxon Times To The Present And, Combined With Baker And Milsom's Sources Of Legal History, Offers Invaluable Insights Into The Development Of The Common Law Of Persons, Obligations, And Property, And Also Of Criminal And Public Law. It Is An Essential Reference Point For All Lawyers, Historians And Students Seeking To Understand The Evolution Of English Law Over A Millennium. The Book Provides An Introduction To The Main Characteristics, Institutions, And Doctrines Of English Law Over The Longer Term - Particularly The Evolution Of The Common Law Before The Extensive Statutory Changes And Regulatory Regimes Of The Last Two Centuries. It Explores How Legal Change Was Brought About In The Common Law And How Judges And Lawyers Managed To Square Evolution With Respect For Inherited Wisdom. Law And Custom Before 1066 -- The Common Law Of England -- The Superior Courts Of Common Law -- The Forms Of Action -- The Jury And Pleading -- The Court Of Chancery And Equity -- The Conciliar Courts -- The Ecclesiastical Courts -- Judicial Review Of Decisions -- The Legal Profession -- Legal Literature -- Law Making -- Real Property: Feudal Tenure -- Real Property: Uses And Fiscal Feudalism -- Real Property: Inheritence And Estates -- Real Property: Family Settlements -- Other Interests In Land -- Contract: Covenant And Debt -- Contract: Assumpsit And Deceit -- Contract: Some Later Developments -- Quasi-contract -- Property In Chattels Personal -- Negligence -- Nuisance -- Defamation -- Economic Torts And Interests -- Persons: Status And Liberty -- Persons: Marriage And Its Consequences -- Please Of The Crown: Criminal Procedure -- Please Of The Crown: The Substantive Criminal Law. Sir John Baker, Q.c., Ll.d., F.b.a., Emeritus Downing Professor Of