*/
David Ormerod, The Right Honourable Lord Justice Hooper
OUP, October 2009, £221.74 978-0-19-557423-0
This work is now in its 20th edition since its re-incarnation by HHJ Peter Murphy, who has now stood down as Emeritus Editor. Criminal practitioners, and his publishers, owe him a great debt of gratitude. The teams of contributors and editors are immensely strong, providing as near a guarantee as is possible of an accurate, erudite work which combines practical guidance with excellent analysis.
The book has grown over the years to 3,001 pages (with indexes). It also now comes with a supplement, containing the Criminal Procedure Rules (though not the Committee’s notes to them) and the guidelines of the Sentencing Guidelines Council. This is an excellent idea, and it is no doubt designed to raise the profiles of both.
The work covers the jurisdiction of the magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court, and appeals/judicial review. It includes primary and secondary legislation, together with Codes of Practice, Practice Directions and the Attorney-General’s guidelines, in addition, of course, to commentary. More materials, such as the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines, will be found on the CD version.
The text is arranged with exceptional practicality, with generous use of headings, sub headings and the avoidance of footnotes. As far as I have discovered, cases receive only one citation, with preference given to specialist series, such as the Criminal Appeal Reports.
The work states the law as at 1 August 2009, but includes a very good section on youth rehabilitation orders, which only came into force on November 20. In any case, cumulative papers, the online service and the practice bulletins enable the reader to keep fully up to date.
The work scores most heavily over its rivals by including both main criminal jurisdictions (and some civil applications, such as closure, orders) with liberal interlacing of practical material, such as CPS practice and guidance. It was a remarkable feat to include all this whist retaining excellent accessibility. The original founding editor would be very proud indeed of the way his project has been re-born and taken forward.
Adrian Turner LLB, barrister. A longer version of this review was published in (2010) 174 JPN. 45.
The book has grown over the years to 3,001 pages (with indexes). It also now comes with a supplement, containing the Criminal Procedure Rules (though not the Committee’s notes to them) and the guidelines of the Sentencing Guidelines Council. This is an excellent idea, and it is no doubt designed to raise the profiles of both.
The work covers the jurisdiction of the magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court, and appeals/judicial review. It includes primary and secondary legislation, together with Codes of Practice, Practice Directions and the Attorney-General’s guidelines, in addition, of course, to commentary. More materials, such as the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines, will be found on the CD version.
The text is arranged with exceptional practicality, with generous use of headings, sub headings and the avoidance of footnotes. As far as I have discovered, cases receive only one citation, with preference given to specialist series, such as the Criminal Appeal Reports.
The work states the law as at 1 August 2009, but includes a very good section on youth rehabilitation orders, which only came into force on November 20. In any case, cumulative papers, the online service and the practice bulletins enable the reader to keep fully up to date.
The work scores most heavily over its rivals by including both main criminal jurisdictions (and some civil applications, such as closure, orders) with liberal interlacing of practical material, such as CPS practice and guidance. It was a remarkable feat to include all this whist retaining excellent accessibility. The original founding editor would be very proud indeed of the way his project has been re-born and taken forward.
Adrian Turner LLB, barrister. A longer version of this review was published in (2010) 174 JPN. 45.
David Ormerod, The Right Honourable Lord Justice Hooper
OUP, October 2009, £221.74 978-0-19-557423-0
This work is now in its 20th edition since its re-incarnation by HHJ Peter Murphy, who has now stood down as Emeritus Editor. Criminal practitioners, and his publishers, owe him a great debt of gratitude. The teams of contributors and editors are immensely strong, providing as near a guarantee as is possible of an accurate, erudite work which combines practical guidance with excellent analysis.
Chair of the Bar reflects on 2025
AlphaBiolabs has donated £500 to The Christie Charity through its Giving Back initiative, helping to support cancer care, treatment and research across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and further afield
Q&A with criminal barrister Nick Murphy, who moved to New Park Court Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit in search of a better work-life balance
Revolt Cycling in Holborn, London’s first sustainable fitness studio, invites barristers to join the revolution – turning pedal power into clean energy
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, reflects on how the company’s Giving Back ethos continues to make a difference to communities across the UK
By Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Are you ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC explains the biggest change since HMRC launched self-assessment more than 30 years ago... and its impact on the Bar
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC present their best buys for this holiday season
Marking one year since a Bar disciplinary tribunal dismissed all charges against her, Dr Charlotte Proudman discusses the experience, her formative years and next steps. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Little has changed since Burns v Burns . Cohabiting couples deserve better than to be left on the blasted heath with the existing witch’s brew for another four decades, argues Christopher Stirling
Pointillism, radical politics and social conscience. Review by Stephen Cragg KC
