bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
21. Defences and remedies in defamation
Authors: Witting Christian
Published: September 2021

This chapter examines the defences that can be used in defamation cases and the remedies that are available to defendants. The defences are of particular importance in this area in terms of protecting the rights and interests of both the public and the defendant (essentially permitting freedom of expression). Principal defences include consent, the assumption of risk, offer of amends, truth, honest opinion, absolute privilege, and qualified privilege. The available remedies for defamation claims are mainly damages and injunctions. This chapter incorporates a discussion of both the Defamation Act 1996 and the Defamation Act 2013 and analyses relevant court cases.
Tort Law
Authors: Horsey Kirsty , Rackley Erika
Published: September 2021

Tort Law encourages the reader to understand, engage with and critically reflect upon tort law. The book contains five parts. Part I, which is about the tort of negligence, looks at the basic principles of the duty of care and at special duty problems relating to: omissions and acts of third parties, psychiatric harm, public bodies and economic loss. It also covers breach, causation and remoteness, and defences to negligence. Part II considers occupiers’, product and employers’ liability and breach of statutory duty. Part III looks at personal torts and explains trespass to the person, defamation and the invasion of privacy. Part IV concerns land torts and Part V looks at liability (including vicarious liability), damages and limitations.
1. Introduction
Authors: Horsey Kirsty , Rackley Erika
Published: September 2021

This introductory chapter begins with a definition of tort law and the interests that tort law protects. To say that the law of tort protects an individual’s rights or interests does not mean that a claimant will succeed simply by showing that the defendant harmed them or infringed their rights. Tort law lays down a set of rules stating when exactly a harm or infringement of one’s interest will give rise to legal liability. The chapter discusses the disparate functions of tort law and illustrates them through the case of Woodroffe-Hedley v Cuthbertson [1997]. The chapter then explains the significance of the Human Rights Act 1998 for tort law.
4. Special duty problems: omissions and acts of third parties
Authors: Horsey Kirsty , Rackley Erika
Published: September 2021

This chapter examines the two separate but closely linked concepts of liability for omissions and for the actions of third parties. The first section considers when and why the courts have established that a duty of care should be owed by defendants when the harm was the result of their omission, and the second explores the situations when a defendant may owe a duty in relation to the action(s) of a third party. Ordinarily you can be liable only for things that you do, but when someone does not do something that they ought to have done a duty might be found. Similarly, while it appears odd that someone may be liable for harms that someone else caused, the courts have nonetheless found that in limited circumstances people who have responsibility for, or control over, others may incur a duty in respect of the harms caused by these third parties.
8. Breach of duty: the standard of care
Authors: Horsey Kirsty , Rackley Erika
Published: September 2021

This chapter focuses on the second of the requirements necessary to establish a claim in the tort of negligence—breach of duty. Breach occurs where a defendant has fallen below the particular standard of care demanded by the law. This is largely an objective test and is determined by comparing the actions of the defendant to those imagined to be done in the same circumstances by the so-called ‘reasonable man’. The questions to be answered are how the defendant ought to have behaved (what was the required standard of care) and how the defendant did behave (did they in fact fall below that standard).
9. Causation and remoteness of damage
Authors: Horsey Kirsty , Rackley Erika
Published: September 2021

This chapter discusses the final ‘hurdle’ for the claimant to overcome in the tort of negligence—causation. The claimant must prove that their injuries were caused by the defendant’s actions in both fact and law. To establish cause in fact, the claimant must show, on the balance of probabilities, that the defendant’s breach caused their harm. Tests for cause in law encompass a remoteness test (which involves establishing whether the damage that occurred was foreseeable to the defendant at the time of the negligence). It is the type of harm that must be foreseeable, not its extent. The last part of the test is to ask whether any intervening acts (acts that occurred after the defendant’s breach) broke the chain of causation. If so, the defendant will not be liable.
17. Defamation
Authors: Horsey Kirsty , Rackley Erika
Published: September 2021

This chapter discusses the tort of defamation. This area of law has undergone significant legislative change following the enactment of the Defamation Act 2013. Only a false statement can be defamatory. It is up to the defendant to prove that the statement is true in order to avoid liability. Defences include honest opinion, publication on a matter of public interest and privilege (where the statement is made in the performance of a duty). Remedies include an injunction to prevent publication, and a permanent injunction to prevent further publication and damages.
2. What Is Land?
Authors: McFarlane Ben , Hopkins Nicholas , Nield Sarah
Published: September 2021

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing able students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter explores in detail the legal meaning of land, what it means to say that land is a form of property, and the nature of its protection. It considers the usefulness of the cujus est solum, ejus est usque ad coelum et ad infernos brocard to proving the reach of a land owner’s rights above and below the surface of the land. It also considers the rights of an owner of land to objects found in or on the land.
3. Registration
Authors: McFarlane Ben , Hopkins Nicholas , Nield Sarah
Published: September 2021

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing able students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter consists of an introduction to one of the core parts of modern land law: land registration. It provides a relatively brief introduction to the idea of registration of title and examines some of the key aims of the Land Registration Act 2002, looking at how the special features of land can explain the prominence of registration systems in land law and considering, in particular, the means by which the Act protects registered parties and the circumstances in which that protection is limited.
8. Formal Methods of Acquisition: Contracts, Deeds, and Registration
Authors: McFarlane Ben , Hopkins Nicholas , Nield Sarah
Published: September 2021

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing able students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter describes the formality requirements that must be complied with for the creation or transfer of legal estates and interests in land. The three stages of creating and transferring legal rights are contract, creation or transfer, and registration. The Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989 increased the formality requirements for contracts and made more severe the consequences of non-compliance. Under s 2 of the 1989 Act, a contract may take the form of a single document signed by both parties or an exchange of documents, each of which has been signed by one of the parties. The chapter considers the requirements of s 2 and the consequences of non-compliance, including concepts which may assist a party to acquire a right, even if the agreement does not seem to comply with s 2. The operation of proprietary estoppel and of constructive trusts is thus examined. The requirement of registration is considered, along with the problems that arise from the ‘registration gap’ and the possible effects of e-conveyancing.
10. Proprietary Estoppel
Authors: McFarlane Ben , Hopkins Nicholas , Nield Sarah
Published: September 2021

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing able students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter is concerned with proprietary estoppel. Proprietary estoppel is a means by which a party (B) can gain some protection against an owner of land (A), even if B has no contract with A and even if A has not formally given B a property right in relation to A’s land. Proprietary estoppel is therefore a means by which B can obtain an equitable interest in A’s land. It is noted that proprietary estoppel is very different from other forms of estoppel; so different that the term ‘estoppel’ is positively misleading. The chapter considers the requirements of a proprietary estoppel claim, including the role of unconscionability, how the courts determine the extent of any right arising through proprietary estoppel, and the impact of such rights on third parties.
15. The Priority Triangle
Authors: McFarlane Ben , Hopkins Nicholas , Nield Sarah
Published: September 2021

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing able students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter addresses the question of when C can have a defence to B’s pre-existing property right. It thus covers the basic principles that apply when answering the priority question. It examines how a court determines which of two competing property rights arose first. It also examines exceptions to the basic rule, acknowledged by s 28 of the Land Registration Act 2002 that B’s property right, where it arises before C’s property right, will take priority.
4. Discrimination in employment
Authors: Smith Ian , Baker Aaron , Warnock Owen
Published: September 2021

This chapter discusses anti-discrimination law in the UK in the employment sphere. After providing a brief history of the development of UK discrimination law, it introduces the Equality Act 2010, explaining the forms of discrimination it covers and how it works. Key concepts of equality law are then discussed, including direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimization. The chapter examines each protected characteristic in turn, highlighting the issues specific to each, including equal pay, sex-discriminatory dress codes, the additional protections against discrimination afforded to disabled people, compulsory retirement ages, and the apparent clash between protections against sexual orientation discrimination and religious discrimination.
7. Unfair dismissal
Authors: Smith Ian , Baker Aaron , Warnock Owen
Published: September 2021

This chapter focuses on unfair dismissal, beginning with a consideration of the necessary procedures for a fair dismissal and the vital role of the ACAS Code of Practice. It continues by looking at the statutory definition of ‘dismissal’ and then tackles the central question of what the statute means by ‘fair’ and ‘unfair’. The meaning and limitations of the basic test here, the ‘band of reasonable responses’ test, are considered. Particular cases—including incapability, misconduct (including the relevance of human rights protections and of online misconduct), and the open-ended category of ‘some other substantial reason’—are dealt with in detail, as are automatically unfair dismissals that exist to give extra protection to certain employees. The chapter concludes with the complex law on remedies if a dismissal is unfair.
8. The Judiciary and their Appointment
Authors: Gillespie Alisdair A. , Weare Siobhan
Published: September 2021

This chapter provides an introduction to the courts and tribunals judiciary. It discusses the judicial office, judicial appointments, judicial diversity and judicial training. There are different levels of judges within the courts and tribunals, with the senior judiciary comprising the Lord Chief Justice and Heads of Division. The Lord Chief Justice is the Head of the Judiciary. The Head of the Tribunals is the Senior President of the Tribunals. There are also part-time members of the judiciary known either as district judges, recorders, or Deputy High Court Judges depending on which court they sit in. This chapter assesses the similarities and differences between the court judiciary and tribunal judiciary. The quasi- judicial role of magistrates is also considered in this chapter. Discussing them in this chapter allows for their role to be considered and contrasted with that of district judges (magistrates’ courts) who also sit within the magistrates’ court.
Equity & Trusts Law Directions
Authors: Watt Gary
Published: September 2021

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, diagrams and exercises help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress. This book explains the key topics covered on equity and trusts courses. The content of the text is designed to emphasise the relationship between equity, trusts, property, contract and restitution to enable students to map out conceptual connections between related legal ideas. There is also a focus on modern cases in the commercial sphere to reflect the constantly changing and socially significant role of trusts and equity. The book starts by introducing equity and trusts. It then includes a chapter on understanding trusts, and moves on to consider capacity and formality requirements, certainty requirements and the constitution of trusts. Various types of trusts are then examined such as purpose, charitable, and variation trusts. The book then describes issues related to trusteeship. Breach of trust is explained, as is informal trusts of land. There is a chapter on tracing, and then the book concludes by looking at equitable liability of strangers to trust and equitable doctrines and remedies. This new edition includes coverage of significant recent cases, including the Supreme Court decision on interest to be paid by tax authorities on monies owed; the Supreme Court decision on the test of dishonesty applicable to civil matters; the Privy Council decision on the division of investment property acquired by cohabitants; the Court of Appeal decisions on Quistclose trusts; fiduciary duties in arms-length contracts; transactions prejudicing creditors; beneficiary anonymity in variation of trust cases; exemption clauses; discretion exercised beyond trustee’s authority; implications of GDPR for trustee disclosures; trustee personal liability; causation and equitable compensation; statutory relief for a professional trustee’s breach of trust; use of proprietary estoppel to reward work undertaken in farming families; costs of seeking court’s directions; injunctions ordered against persons unknown; equitable jurisdiction to rectify agreements.
19. The equitable liability of strangers to the trust
Authors: Watt Gary
Published: September 2021

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, diagrams and exercises help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress. This chapter shows how a stranger to the trust may be threatened with personal equitable liability. It explains the rationale behind equitable liability for ‘knowing receipt’ of trust property, considers the distinction between ‘knowing receipt’ and ‘inconsistent dealing’, examines the nature of a stranger’s liability for dishonest assistance in (or procurement of) a breach of trust and looks at possible reforms of the law in this area. The chapter also discusses how liability of strangers differs from tracing, trusteeship de son tort, the four requirements for ‘dishonest assistance’ (existence of a trust, breach of the trust, assistance and dishonesty), the relationship between knowledge and dishonesty in cases of dishonest assistance and whether accessory liability should be a common law tort.
20. Equity: doctrines and remedies
Authors: Watt Gary
Published: September 2021

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, diagrams and exercises help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress. In general, the leading cases on equitable doctrines and remedies are very old. Originally developed by the old Court of Chancery in constructive competition with the common law courts, equity is now applied by the unified Supreme Court of England and Wales. This chapter looks at particular doctrines and remedies that have been developed over many centuries to help predict the way in which equity will operate in various types of case. It first discusses the distinction between different doctrines of equity before turning to the requirements for the various equitable remedies, the likelihood of success when applying for an equitable remedy and the on-going significance of equity to modern commercial life. The chapter also examines the doctrines of conversion, reconversion, satisfaction, performance and election, along with the discretionary nature of equitable remedies, injunctions, rescission, rectification, account and subrogation.
International Law
Authors: Henriksen Anders
Published: September 2021

International Law provides comprehensive and concise coverage of the central issues in public international law. The text takes a critical perspective on various aspects of international law, introducing the controversies and areas of debate without assuming prior knowledge of the topics discussed. Supporting learning features, including central issues boxes, chapter summaries, recommended reading and discussion questions, highlight the essential points. Topics covered include the history of international law, legal sources, the law of treaties, legal personality, jurisdiction and state immunity. The text also looks at the international law of the sea, human rights law, international environmental law, international economic law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the use of force, the laws of armed conflict and international criminal law.
10. International environmental law
Authors: Henriksen Anders
Published: September 2021

International environmental law is an area of international law where states have decided to cooperate with each other in order to fulfil certain goals of common interest and, for the most part, its rules and principles belong in the category of the international law of cooperation. This chapter discusses the most important parts of international environmental law and its main legal sources. It presents the fundamental principles of international environmental law, including those that seek to prevent damage to the environment and those that seek to ensure a balanced approach to environmental protection. It provides an overview of the most important parts of the substantial regulation in international environmental law, including the legal regime for the protection of the atmosphere, the conservation of nature and the regulation of hazardous substances. It also discusses features related to implementation and enforcement that are particular to international environmental law.
13. The international regulation of the use of force
Authors: Henriksen Anders
Published: September 2021

This chapter discusses the regulation of when and for what purpose a state may use force against another state jus ad bellum. It provides an overview of the legal framework in the 1945 UN Charter. It analyses the content of the prohibition on the use of force in article 2(4) of the Charter; discusses the competences of the UN Security Council; and examines the right to self-defence. The Security Council is entrusted with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and, under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council may authorize the use of force if required to maintain and/or restore the peace. Article 51 of the Charter allows a state to defend itself in the case of armed attack.
1. Criminal law in context
Authors: Allen Michael J. , Edwards Ian
Published: September 2021

Course-focused and contextual, Criminal Law provides a succinct overview of the key areas on the law curriculum balanced with thought-provoking contextual discussion. This introductory chapter answers the following questions: What is a crime? What purpose or function does the criminal law serve? What reasons are there for the criminalisation of some types of conduct? What are the purposes of punishment? What are the political and social contexts in which criminal law operates? The chapter provides an overview of key aspects of the criminal process, including mode of trial, the decision to prosecute, the burden and standard of proof, the functions of judge and jury, and sentencing. It also examines briefly the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights on English law.
4. Negligence and strict liability
Authors: Allen Michael J. , Edwards Ian
Published: September 2021

Course-focused and contextual, Criminal Law provides a succinct overview of the key areas on the law curriculum balanced with thought-provoking contextual discussion. This chapter discusses the meaning of negligence, arguments for and against negligence as a basis for criminal liability, the meaning of strict liability, the origins of and justifications for strict liability, the presumption of mens rea in offences of strict liability, defences to strict liability, and strict liability and the European Convention on Human Rights. The feaeture ‘The law in context’ examines critically the use of strict liability as the basis for liability in the offence of paying for the sexual services of a person who has been subject to exploitation.
5. Capacity and incapacitating conditions
Authors: Allen Michael J. , Edwards Ian
Published: September 2021

Course-focused and contextual, Criminal Law provides a succinct overview of the key areas on the law curriculum balanced with thought-provoking contextual discussion. A person should only be held criminally liable where he has the capacity to understand his actions, and to recognise the consequences which may flow from them; and, having understood them, where he has the capacity to control them. The criminal law recognises the requirement of rational capacity by excepting persons who lack rational capacity from liability in certain circumstances. This chapter examines the issues of the age of criminal responsibility, insanity and the M’Naghten Rules (including analysis of the meaning of a ‘disease of the mind’ and the cognitive tests for determining whether someone is legally insane), automatism, and intoxication (with analysis of the distinction between offences of specific intent and basic intent). A revised and updated ‘The law in context’ feature explores the treatment of mentally disordered defendants and offenders in the criminal justice system.
10. Non-fatal offences against the person
Authors: Allen Michael J. , Edwards Ian
Published: September 2021

Course-focused and contextual, Criminal Law provides a succinct overview of the key areas on the law curriculum balanced with thought-provoking contextual discussion. This chapter discusses the main non-fatal offences involving violence against the person. Non-fatal offences include assault and battery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm, wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent, administering poison, and offences related to explosive substances and corrosive fluids (including offences related to ‘acid attacks’). The chapter analyses in detail consent as a defence to non-fatal offences against the person, including discussion of recent case law on whether consent is a defence to acts of ‘body modification’. The chapter also outlines necessity and lawful correction. The chapter’s ‘The Law in Context’ feature examines the scope of ‘hate crime’ legislation.
Smith, Hogan, and Ormerod's Essentials of Criminal Law
Authors: Child John , Ormerod David
Published: September 2021

Smith, Hogan, and Ormerod’s Essentials of Criminal Law presents a clear and authoritative discussion of the criminal law, combining authority with supportive learning features. The book engages with all the key topics of criminal law on the typical LLB syllabus, whilst encouraging the development of analytical and assessment skills. Particular attention is paid to student assessment, with end-of-chapter sections offering advice on how to approach essay and problem questions. Short learning and assessment tips are provided throughout the chapters. Key cases are highlighted across chapters which include brief summaries of the main facts and judgment. Each chapter includes a section on reform, introducing important academic criticism of the law.
2. Agreement
Authors: Merkin Robert , Saintier Séverine
Published: September 2021

Poole’s Casebook on Contract Law provides a comprehensive selection of case law that addresses all aspects of the subject encountered on undergraduate courses. A contract is a legally enforceable agreement. This chapter explains how the existence of an agreement is determined. After considering how the courts assess whether an agreement has been, using subjective and objective methods, it discusses the precise criteria used to determine agreement, namely offer and acceptance. The chapter defines offers and distinguishes them from invitations to treat. It focuses on identifying acceptances and distinguishing acceptances from responses which are not a mirror image of the offer, such as counter-offers. Much emphasis is placed on explaining the communication principles applicable to acceptances—postal and instantaneous communications, including email. The chapter explains revocations of offers and the communication principles applicable to revocations. The courts will enforce an agreement only if it is sufficiently certain in its terms. the This chapter therefore considers how the courts deal with vagueness and incompleteness, including agreements to agree and whether there can ever be a duty to negotiate in good faith. It also examines the position where there is no contract due to uncertainty, but there has been performance. Finally, the chapter distinguishes bilateral and unilateral contracts and the special principles applicable to unilateral contracts.
3. Enforceability of promises: consideration and promissory estoppel
Authors: Merkin Robert , Saintier Séverine , Poole Jill
Published: September 2021

Course-focused and comprehensive, Poole’s Textbook on Contract Law provides an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. Under English law, bargains and not gratuitous promises are enforced, thus a promise will not be enforceable if it is not contained in a deed (implying that any promise is taken seriously) or supported by consideration. Consideration refers to an act or a promise given in exchange for the promise (that is, the price for which the other’s promise was bought). The law does not recognize some acts or promises as good consideration, such as past consideration and performance of an existing legal duty. This chapter examines the general requirement in English law to provide consideration in order to enforce a contractual promise. The consideration requirement is relevant not only to the formation of a contract but also to the enforceability of promises altering the terms of an existing contract (alterations). An alteration promise that is not supported by consideration may still have some binding effect on the basis of the doctrine of promissory estoppel.
4. Intention to be legally bound, formalities, and capacity to contract
Authors: Merkin Robert , Saintier Séverine , Poole Jill
Published: September 2021

Course-focused and comprehensive, Poole’s Textbook on Contract Law provides an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. This chapter examines the requirement that there must be an intention to create legal relations and specific requirements of form, such as writing, for an agreement to be enforceable as a legally binding contract. Traditionally, this intention to create legal relations is determined objectively using two presumptions that can be rebutted on the evidence. First, it is presumed that there was no intention to be legally bound in the context of social or domestic agreements. Secondly, it is presumed that the parties to commercial agreements intended to be legally bound unless there are clear words indicating the opposite, such as the existence of an honour clause. In addition, some contracts require particular formalities to be binding. The chapter outlines some examples of these and discusses the consequences of non-compliance with the formality requirements. It also considers the capacity rules in contract (i.e. a party’s ability in law to contract) and the effect of incapacity on a contract, focusing on contracts made by minors (persons below 18 years old). The chapter concludes by discussing electronic signatures and the implications of e-commerce for formality requirements in contracts.
10. Duress, undue influence, and unconscionable bargains
Authors: Merkin Robert , Saintier Séverine , Poole Jill
Published: September 2021

Course-focused and comprehensive, Poole’s Textbook on Contract Law provides an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. This chapter examines the doctrines of duress and undue influence, both of which provide a means for a person to avoid a concluded contract into which he entered due to threats or unfair pressures or influence exerted on him. It also looks at the circumstances in which the courts or Parliament have intervened to prevent one party from taking advantage of another. Duress refers to some form of coercion or threat to the person, property, or to a person’s financial interests (economic duress). Undue influence can arise if there is illegitimate pressure and abuse exerted by one party over the other (actual undue influence) or if something in the transaction is suspicious or calls for an explanation (evidential undue influence). The chapter also considers unconscionable bargaining, procedural and substantive unfairness, consumer legislation, and the link between unconscionability and undue influence.
14. Damages for breach of contract
Authors: Merkin Robert , Saintier Séverine , Poole Jill
Published: September 2021

Course-focused and comprehensive, Poole’s Textbook on Contract Law provides an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. Where there is breach of contract, the aggrieved party is entitled to the remedy of damages as of right. Contractual damages aim to compensate the claimant for losses suffered rather than punish the defendant. To achieve compensation the claimant is put in the position he would have been in if the contract had been properly performed and the breach had not occurred. In other words, the aim is to protect the expectation of performance (known as the ‘expectation interest’ or the ‘performance interest’). This may involve any difference in value between the promised and the actual performance, loss of profits, or reimbursing the claimant for any expenditure that had been wasted due to the breach. A claimant may not be fully compensated for his losses as a result of the remoteness rule, which limits recovery of losses and/or the duty to mitigate (minimize) loss. Damages may also be apportioned, in some circumstances, for the claimant’s own contributory negligence in contributing to his own loss. In general, non-pecuniary losses are not recoverable in a claim for breach of contract, but there are cases where a modest sum may be awarded for the disappointment resulting from not receiving the promised performance. The parties may include an agreed damages clause in their contract but in the event of breach only a liquidated damages clause will be enforceable; a penalty clause will not be enforceable beyond the claimant’s actual loss.
Mayson, French & Ryan on Company Law
Authors: French Derek
Published: September 2021

Mayson, French & Ryan on Company Law looks at all aspects of current UK company law. The 37th edition continues the tradition of providing accurate technical detail, examination of theory, and quotations from key cases. The volume starts with an overview of the topic. Next it looks at the establishment of companies. It moves on to consider finance which includes an examination of shares, accounts, loans, market abuse, capital and borrowing. The next part of the text considers governance. It looks at shareholders, directors, duties of directors, company secretaries and auditors, remedies and acting for a company. The last part of the text examines insolvency and liquidation.
1. Overview
Authors: French Derek
Published: September 2021

This chapter provides an overview of the work’s contents. It introduces the basic ideas of company law. A company is an artificial legal person capable of owning property, being a party to contracts and being a claimant or defendant in legal proceedings. A company is created by registration at Companies House under the Companies Act 2006. A company is both an association of members (shareholders) and a person separate from its members. Members are not liable for the company’s debts. Members are only liable to make an agreed capital contribution in return for their shares. Members appoint directors to manage the company’s business and represent the company. Every company must have articles of association which set out the company’s constitution.
18. Remedies for maladministration
Authors: French Derek
Published: September 2021

This chapter considers the remedies available when maladministration occurs, with emphasis on the existence of the company as a separate person. It examines circumstances where a wrong has been done to the company or to individual members, focusing on the proper claimant principle established in Foss v Harbottle (1843) 2 Hare 461, and the possible action that can be taken against company officers who have committed a wrong. It also explains the causes for which a member can file derivative claims; the right of a member to petition the court for relief under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006), part 30 (ss 994 to 999); members’ petition for winding up; the irregularity principle; and when the Secretary of State can intervene in maladministration cases. The chapter cites relevant legislation (Companies Act 1985, Insolvency Act 1986 and CA 2006) and a number of particularly significant court cases.
Accounts and reports
Authors: French Derek
Published: September 2021

This chapter discusses the obligations imposed on directors of companies to maintain proper accounting records, prepare annual financial statements and reports on the company’s business and disclose this information to members and the public. Requirements for companies to report their financial position to their members and to the public vary according to whether the company is a micro-entity, or is small, medium-sized or large. A company is subject to additional requirements if it is a quoted company. The definitions of these categories are set out and the rules applying to each category are summarised. The chapter discusses the form and contents of annual accounts and the contents of the strategic report and directors’ report.
10. The Legislature: membership, privileges, and standards
Authors: Dennett Anne
Published: September 2021

This chapter explores the role and membership of Parliament’s two chambers, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the operation of parliamentary privilege; and accountability of members. The key functions of Parliament include controlling national expenditure and taxation; sustaining the government; legislating and scrutinising government actions. The House of Commons is the pre-eminent chamber and dominates Parliament. The Commons’ membership consists of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are democratically elected by the public to represent their interests in Parliament. The membership of the House of Lords largely relies on patronage. Members of the Lords are appointed by the Queen on the Prime Minister’s advice. The House of Lords is an important revising and scrutinising chamber, and while it is subordinate to the democratically elected House of Commons, it is also a check on constitutional change by the Commons. The Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 redefined the Lords’ legislative powers over public bills and established the Commons’ primacy. The chapter then considers the operation of parliamentary privilege. Parliament needs parliamentary privilege to conduct its core business effectively, independently, and without fear of outside interference, and to protect everything said or done in the transaction of parliamentary business. Indeed, Parliament is self-regulating and, as a sovereign body, operates outside the jurisdiction of the courts except for the criminal law. Each House has its own standards of conduct and disciplinary powers which ensure accountability.
13. The judiciary
Authors: Dennett Anne
Published: September 2021

This chapter examines the role of the judiciary in the UK constitution, the critically important concepts of judicial independence and neutrality, accountability of judges, and judicial power. The UK courts administer justice; uphold the rule of law; and act as a check on executive power. Judicial independence requires that judges should be free from external influences in their decision-making, and make decisions without political interference or fear of reprisal. Meanwhile, judicial neutrality means that judges should determine legal disputes impartially, objectively, and solely by applying the law. At first sight, judicial accountability seems inconsistent with being independent, but it is essential that the judiciary adheres to the highest standards in carrying out its functions. In the absence of a codified constitution, the boundaries of judicial power operate within a framework of constitutional principles and conventions, but there is debate over the limits of that power.
14. Challenging government action
Authors: Dennett Anne
Published: September 2021

This chapter focuses on the administrative justice system. Administrative justice refers to the systems that enable individuals to resolve complaints, grievances, and disputes about administrative or executive decisions of public bodies, and to obtain redress. Grievance mechanisms exist to achieve redress and to ensure accountability and improved public administration. They include formal court action through judicial review, but range well beyond the courts to informal, non-legal mechanisms. Whereas a public inquiry may concern a grievance of a larger section of the public and can raise political issues, an inquiry by an Ombudsman concerns a grievance of an individual or small group, with a different fact-finding process. Meanwhile, tribunals determine rights and entitlements in disputes between citizens and state in specific areas of law, such as social security, immigration and asylum, and tax.
18. Human rights in action
Authors: Dennett Anne
Published: September 2021

This chapter explores how three Convention rights operate in practice: the right to life (Article 2), the right to a private and family life (Article 8), and freedom of religious belief (Article 9). Article 2 provides that everyone’s right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of one’s life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following one’s conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by law. Article 8 provides that everyone has the right to respect for one’s private and family life, home, and correspondence. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, Article 9 provides that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change and manifest one’s religion or belief.
1. Introduction
Authors: Horspool Margot , Humphreys Matthew , Wells-Greco Michael
Published: September 2021

This introductory chapter traces the development of the European Union. Since its inception in 1952, the EU has matured and developed from a Community of like-minded states into a Union of a greater diversity of states, with a comprehensive legal system which is increasingly penetrating the national legal systems of Member States. From the six original members, the EU now counts 27 Member States. Eleven of the thirteen newer Member States are in Central and Eastern Europe, and have discarded their old Communist regimes, turning into democracies with the qualifications to join the Union. The latest developments and changes, including Brexit and the effects of Covid-19, are also discussed.
13. Citizenship and free movement rights: beyond economic links
Authors: Horspool Margot , Humphreys Matthew , Wells-Greco Michael
Published: September 2021

This chapter discusses Union citizenship and free movement of persons rights in the EU for Union citizens and their spouses, partners, children and dependants. It examines the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Free Movement or Citizenship Directive and the principle of equal treatment. The chapter also considers the facets of Union citizenship and the political dimension of Union citizenship with reference to the European Citizens’ Initiative. It concludes with a discussion on some of the challenges of Union citizenship.
14. Competition law and policy
Authors: Horspool Margot , Humphreys Matthew , Wells-Greco Michael
Published: September 2021

This chapter examines the law and policy on competition in the European Union. It discusses the economic theories underpinning competition protection and the way economic theory is applied in legal and policy decisions. The chapter analyses the scope and effect of Articles 101 and 102 TFEU and the relationship between the two provisions. Concerted practice, dominant position and abuse are defined, and the exceptions to the rules in Article 101 are outlined. This is followed by discussions of the application and enforcement of EU competition law and merger control. State aid and services in the general economic interest are also considered. The role of the consumer and consumer protection are considered throughout.
3. Certainty and the intention to create legal relations
Authors: Taylor Richard , Taylor Damian
Published: September 2021

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, diagrams, and exercises help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress. This chapter discusses certainty and the intention to create legal relations. It first considers cases where the parties have used ambiguous or unclear language. It then looks at cases where the parties have deliberately left terms to be agreed at a later date. In the former cases, the agreement is often described as ‘vague’; in the latter cases it is described as ‘incomplete’. The chapter then turns to domestic agreements, commercial agreements, and executory and executed agreements.
11. Damages
Authors: Taylor Richard , Taylor Damian
Published: September 2021

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, diagrams and exercises help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress. This chapter examines the principles by which contractual damages are assessed. The discussions cover the aim of contractual damages, the difference between damages in contract and in tort; the relationship between the expectation interest and the reliance interest; cost of cure and difference in value; remoteness of damage; foreseeability and assumption of risk; non-pecuniary losses; mitigation; contributory negligence; and penalties, liquidated damages and forfeiture.
7. Working time
Authors: Jefferson Michael
Published: September 2021

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter focuses on the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR). The WTR implement the Working Time Directive 1993 and parts of the Young Workers Directive 1994. The WTR impose a maximum 48-hour week during a 17-week reference period and provide rules on night work, rest periods, and annual leave. The UK has opted out of the maximum 48-hour working week. It was the sole European Union Member State to do so. On Brexit, the WTR are one of the areas which may come under attack from neoliberals.
9. Unfair dismissal
Authors: Jefferson Michael
Published: September 2021

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter discusses the law on unfair dismissal. The principal cases are discussed in full. It is easy to get lost in the mass of case law and concentration must be kept on the statute and these leading cases. The employer must demonstrate that the reason for the dismissal relates to capability or qualifications, conduct, a statutory ban, or some other substantial reason of a kind to justify the dismissal. An employer must act reasonably in treating a reason as sufficient for dismissal. This is the famous ‘range of reasonable responses’ test. It should be guided by the ACAS Code of Practice 2015 and must follow contractual procedures. The remedies for unfair dismissal include re-employment or compensation.
10. Redundancy
Authors: Jefferson Michael
Published: September 2021

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter discusses the law on redundancy. Employees are considered redundant if the employer has ceased or intends to cease carrying on the business for the purposes for which the employees were employed, or in the place where they are employed there has been, or will be, a diminution in the need for work of a particular kind. The burden of proof is on the employer to show that any offer of alternative employment was suitable and that any refusal by the employee was unreasonable. The size of a redundancy payment depends upon the employee’s age, length of service, and the amount of a week’s pay.
1. Human rights: the idea and the law
Authors: Davis Howard
Published: September 2021

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, discussion points, and thinking points help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress and knowledge can be tested by self-test questions and exam questions at the chapter end. This chapter discusses the idea of human rights, as well as a range of political and constitutional issues to which they give rise. The general history of the international protection of human rights from which the UK system is derived is also introduced. The chapter furthermore presents examples of human rights abuses specific to the UK that are, to some extent, at the mild end of the full spectrum of human rights abuses found in other parts of Europe or in the rest of the world. The concept of human rights assumes that all reasonable human beings share the feeling that, in whatever they do, they need to accord proper respect to the dignity of all individual human beings. States and governments, in particular, must ensure that individual dignity is respected in their laws and practices.