Legal skills and practice Books

Book Synopsis“'What About Law?' succeeds where so many legal guidebooks fail ... [it] skilfully demystifies the law and ably proves its argument. The law is, indeed, all around us - and this book will whet your appetite to find out how and why.” – Alex Wade, The Times (of the previous edition) Law is one of the few subjects that the school leaver, choosing a degree course, will have very little real understanding of. This book comes to the rescue by clearly setting out what a prospective law student can expect and why a student should choose to study law. This new edition is updated to reflect the reality of studying law today, highlighting changes due to Brexit and reforms to constitutional law. The book covers the compulsory subjects every law student has to study: contract, criminal, property and trusts law, and brings them up to date. With a clear core structure and approach it takes a case from each of these subjects to illustrate legal issues and methodology. The writing style is accessible and has the audience – novices to law – firmly in mind. What About Law? shows how the study of law can be fun, intellectually stimulating and challenging. It introduces prospective students to the legal system, legal reasoning, critical thinking and argument. Written by a team of experienced teachers, this book should be read by every student about to embark on the study of law.Trade ReviewA simple and user friendly book that 'sells' out the law as it is with all its various rationales. Fit for anyone embarking on a study of law. -- Vick Krishnan * University of East London *The book provides a useful introduction and context to the study of law, which is relevant for those new to the study of law. It is of particular relevance for those in their foundation year who need an introduction to the core modules they will be taking later on and provides them with an underpinning and foundation to their understanding of these areas. -- Augustina Akoto * University of East London *A really useful book for prospective students, giving an overview of a range of important areas. -- Dr Samuel White * University of the West of Scotland *It is a concise and accessible introduction to law written by experts in each field. In addition to introducing the reader to fundamental legal concepts, each chapter offers an insight into the fascinating peculiarities of the law which will hopefully capture the imagination of potential law students. * Dr Lisa Whitehouse, Schools & Colleges Liaison Officer, University of Hull *'What About Law?' succeeds where so many legal guidebooks fail. The authors give a measured, succinct tour around key legal issues that is both illuminating for the non-lawyer and refreshingly thought-provoking for those whose undergraduate days are long behind them…By anchoring the book in contemporary cases replete with human interest and a tangible effect on our lives, 'What About Law?' skilfully demystifies the law and ably proves its argument. The law is, indeed, all around us - and this book will whet your appetite to find out how and why. -- Alex Wade * The Times (of the previous edition) *..very well conceived and superbly executed. * Charles Rickett, University of Queensland *The authors of this volume expertly identify and communicate the essence of the subject: its broad scope, covering a wide range of social, political and moral problems; its intellectually satisfying methods of analysis, based on logic, precedent and judgment; and, above all, its entertainment value…I very much hope and expect that the information, and enthusiasm, contained in these pages will encourage potential law students. * Foreword by David Pannick QC, Blackstone Chambers *The book is a very good pocket-sized informative text for a quick synopsis of what the UK law consists of and how it operates. Useful to gain a very basic foundation knowledge in certain areas i.e., criminal and the legal system. -- Natasha Roberts * Bangor University *Table of Contents1. Introduction to Law Catherine Barnard, Janet O’Sullivan and Graham Virgo, all University of Cambridge, UK STARTING TO THINK ABOUT LAW THE TOOLS LEGAL METHOD INTERPRETATION IMAGINATION GENERALISATION POLICY UNDERPINNING THE RULE ONE FINAL EXAMPLE CONCLUSIONS 2. Criminal Law Graham Virgo, University of Cambridge, UK THE ELEMENTS OF A CRIME THE REASONS FOR PUNISHMENT REASONS FOR CHARACTERISING CONDUCT AS CRIMINAL FACTS OF BROWN THE KEY OFFENCES THE ISSUE IN BROWN APPLICATION OF THE DECISION THE DISSENTING JUDGES THEORY: AUTONOMY VERSUS WELFARE SUBSEQUENT EVENTS: MOTIVE AND RISK HUMAN RIGHTS LAW REFORM CONCLUSIONS 3. Law of Contract Janet O’Sullivan, University of Cambridge, UK INTRODUCTION SOME CRUCIAL IDEAS ABOUT CONTRACTUAL REMEDIES THE CASE THE HOUSE OF LORDS DECISION IN MORE DETAIL WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE RUXLEY? WHAT IF THE BUILDER HAD SAVED MONEY BY BREACHING THE CONTRACT? CONCLUSION 4. Tort Tony Weir, revised by Janet O’Sullivan, University of Cambridge, UK THE MOST FAMOUS TORT CASE THE ‘DUTY’ QUESTION THE KIND OF HARM DAMAGE AND LOSS RECOVERY FOR PURE FINANCIAL HARM APPLICATION IN MCFARLANE FAIR, JUST AND REASONABLE THE REASONS GIVEN IN MCFARLANE THE SPEECH OF LORD STEYN DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE PSYCHIATRIC HARM EFFECT ON THIRD PARTIES TORT AS DETERRENCE DETERRENCE AND COMPENSATION TWO EXAMPLES STATUTES AND JUDGE-MADE LAW THE EFFECT OF MCFARLANE DAMAGE AND THE INVASION OF RIGHTS THE UNWANTED BABY ABROAD CONCLUSION 5. Land Law Kevin Gray, University of Cambridge, UK INTRODUCTION THE PROBLEM OF PROPERTY THE CASE (CHHOKAR V CHHOKAR) CONCLUSION 6. Equity and Trusts Graham Virgo, University of Cambridge, UK WHAT IS EQUITY? THE CONTRIBUTION OF EQUITY TYPES OF TRUST THE FACTS OF FOSKETT V MCKEOWN THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS IDENTIFICATION AND APPLICATION OF RULES AND PRINCIPLES CONCLUSIONS 7. Constitutional Law Mark Elliott, University of Cambridge, UK PROLOGUE THE MILLER II CASE CONCLUSIONS 8. EU Law, Brexit and International Trade Catherine Barnard, University of Cambridge, UK THE WORLD TRADING REGIME CASSIS DE DIJON BREXIT CONCLUSIONS 9. Conclusions: Drawing Some Threads Together Janet O’Sullivan, Catherine Barnard and Graham Virgo, all University of Cambridge, UK

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Book SynopsisA significant problem within the legal profession is that many of the lawyers litigating cases and the judges deciding them have only a limited understanding of how to properly interpret empirical evidence. Trial by Numbers provides an easy way for members of the legal profession to acquire a basic understanding of the most common methods that serve as the building blocks for empirical evidence in academic articles, policy briefs, and expert witness reports. Adam Chilton and Kyle Rozema take a different approach to other introductory books on empirical methods, omitting the formulas and equations found in other books, and instead focusing on explaining the intuition and logic of common empirical methods. The work also exclusively use examples that are relevant to law school and legal practice.

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Book SynopsisHow to Write Law Essays and Exams provides a practical and proven method of analysing, structuring and answering essays and exam questions. Designed for students of all levels, this book is packed full of worked examples, tips, and nurtures the vital writing and analytical skills needed to help students succeed in their studies.Table of Contents1: An introduction to writing law essays and exams 2: Building the necessary foundation: reading, understanding and summarising legal materials 3: Step one in the IRAC method: the issue 4: Step two in the IRAC method: the rule 5: Step three in the IRAC method: the application 6: Step four in the IRAC method: the conclusion 7: Adapting IRAC to 'discuss' (standard essay) questions 8: General tips on legal writing 9: Adapting IRAC for professional practice 10: Worked questions

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Book SynopsisThe Successful Law Student: An Insider's Guide to Studying Law is the ultimate guide for all prospective and current law students. Packed full of insights, advice and perspectives from current and past law students, it is the only student guide to draw extensively on real-life examples and advice to help you make the most of your studies.Trade Review'A really good book - goes deeper than other pre-course reading and provides essential insider information about the life of a law student.' * Shing Him Mak, Third year LLB student, Queen's University Belfast *'Helps students transition into a law course seamlessly as well as providing advice on the key skills and attributes needed, such as time management, essay skills, and confidence.' * Lucy Edwards, First-year LLB student, Birmingham City University *'Comprehensive and accessible; helps law students understand what legal study is, and what it requires of them-a perspective very seldom tackled at this length and with such an excellent level of clarity and realism.' * Ollie Bartlett, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University *'Incredibly readable! The authors had the tone of a wise and encouraging friend-perfectly explaining how to approach a law degree with depth and insight.' * Fatma Ali, LLB student, University of Westminster *'Studying law can be a daunting prospect, so what could be better than receiving first-hand advice from an army of students who have already been there and survived law school, to soothe our worries? The 'I Wish I'd Known' feature provides snippets of advice from real law students, studying at different universities from different backgrounds, on a whole host of issues; while 'The Insider Knowledge' feature includes advice, tips and nuggets of wisdom from practising solicitors and barristers, who have gone on to succeed in the specialised areas of law.' * Christianah Babajide *

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Book SynopsisThis book not only offers a practical and comprehensive guide to effective written advocacy, but provides worked examples drawn from real cases contributed from todayâs leading and highly successful advocates.Table of ContentsForeword and Acknowledgements Foreword to the First Edition Table of Cases Introduction: The Trend Towards Written Advocacy in Practice PART 1 SKELETON ARGUMENTS AND WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS 1 What the Court Requires 2 What Judges Want PART 2 DEVELOPING WRITTEN ADVOCACY SKILLS 3 Skills for the Practitioner 4 Creating a Style for Written Advocacy 5 Literary Techniques for the Advocate 6 The Technique of Persuasion in Writing 7 The Art of Précis for Lawyers 8 Tasks before Lodging PART 3 WHAT SUCCESSFUL ADVOCATES PROVIDE: WORKED EXAMPLES 9 Introduction to Worked Examples Worked examples A Queen’s Bench trial – Personal injuries – Quantum only – Claimant’s skeleton opening B Queen’s Bench trial – Clinical negligence – Quantum only – Claimant’s skeleton opening C Queen’s Bench Trial – Employer’s duties – Defendant’s skeleton opening D Queen’s Bench application to vacate trial – Claimant’s skeleton argument E Queen’s Bench Commercial Court trial – Claim for Insurance Indemnity – Claimant’s skeleton opening F Queen’s Bench Commercial Court trial – Claim for Third Party Rights to Insurance Policy – Defendant’s skeleton opening G Chancery Division – Application for summary judgment – Skeleton of 2nd Defendant H Chancery Division trial – Professional negligence – Defendant’s skeleton opening I Central Criminal Court – Preliminary issues of law – Defendants’ skeleton submissions J Crown Court at A – Wasted costs application – Respondent’s skeleton submissions K Court of Appeal – Renewal of application for permission – Applicant’s skeleton L Court of Appeal – Defendant Appellant’s skeleton M Court of Appeal – Defendant Appellants’ skeleton N Court of Appeal – Defendant Respondent’s skeleton O Supreme Court – Appellant’s case P Supreme Court – Respondent (Crown)’s case 10 Conclusion: Fifteen Key Points to Writing a Successful Skeleton PART 4 WRITTEN ADVOCACY OUTSIDE THE COURTS 11 Inter-partes Correspondence: The ‘Dear Judge’ Letter 12 Pre-action Protocol Letters of Claim and Reply 13 Part 36 Offers 14 Introduction to Worked Examples Worked examples Q Letter of claim under Pre-action Protocol R Post-issue letter of claim under Pre-action Protocol S Letter in reply to a Pre-action Protocol T Reply to a threat of injunction U Without Prejudice Part 36 offer 15 Conclusion Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisHow Judges Decide Cases is a unique and practical guide which looks at how cases are decided and judgments are written. It examines the style and language of judges expressing judicial opinion and considers the drive for rational justice.Trade Review"A really useful resource...highly recommended” Law GazetteTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 HOW JUDGES DECIDE CASES 1.1 Judicial transparency 1.2 The mechanics of fact finding 1.3 Questions of weight in fact finding 1.4 Evidence on oath 1.5 The dilemma of impression 1.6 Menschkeit and judicial civility 1.7 Conscious and unconscious bias 1.8 Decision-making in interim applications 1.9 The exercise of judicial discretion 1.10 Decision-making by tribunals 2 THE APPELLATE JUDGMENT 2.1 Appellate courts and tribunals 2.2 Decision-making in the Court of Appeal 2.3 Dissent 2.4 The appeals and appellate committees of the Supreme Court 2.5 Delivery of Supreme Court judgments 2.6 Decision-making by the appellate committee 2.7 The appellate committee and judge-made law 2.8 Judicial Committee of the Privy Council 3 WRITING JUDGMENTS, DECISIONS AND AWARDS 3.1 Delivering and writing judgments 3.2 Preparation 3.3 Judgment in the lower courts 3.4 Judicial training 3.5 On finding facts 3.6 On addressing the loser 3.7 On the task in hand 3.8 On the issue of credibility 3.9 On the use of language 3.10 On using counsel’s written submissions 3.11 Personal views on framework 3.12 Civil fast track 3.13 Family cases 3.14 Master’s or district judge’s application 3.15 High Court trial 3.16 Arbitration 3.17 Writing tribunal decisions 3.18 A general approach 3.18.1 Identify the issues 3.18.2 Finding the facts 3.18.3 Telling the tale 3.18.4 Setting out the law 3.18.5 The parties’ submissions 3.18.6 Stating the conclusions 3.19 Majority decisions 3.20 Interlocutory rulings and orders 3.21 Model decision-writing for tribunals 3.22 Writing appellate judgments 3.23 Appellate tribunal awards 3.24 Court of Appeal judgments 4 READING JUDGMENTS 4.1 Basic principles: focus and time 4.2 Focus 4.3 Time 4.4 Inspectional reading 4.5 The mechanics of analytical reading 4.6 Form and structure 4.7 Preparing an analysis 4.8 Classification 4.9 Interpretation 4.10 Deconstruction 4.11 Syntopical reading 5 THE USE OF LANGUAGE IN JUDGMENTS 5.1 The choice of judicial language 5.2 Linguistic analysis 5.3 The use of words 5.4 The structure of sentences 5.5 The language of lawyers 5.6 Contemporary vocabulary and social change 5.7 Dealing with technical and specialist vocabulary 5.8 The residual use of legal Latin and French 5.9 Literary style in judgments 5.10 Judicial literary techniques 5.11 Imperative and declarative sentences 5.12 The compressive metaphor 5.13 The elegant variation 5.14 The factual allusion 5.15 The literary allusion 5.16 Simplification of ideas 5.17 Other techniques 5.18 The impact of distinctive judicial literary style 6 ANALYSING JUDGMENTS: REASONING, ARGUMENT AND LEGAL LOGIC 6.1 Reasoning, argument and legal logic 6.2 Locating the arguments 6.3 Units of reasoning 6.4 Finding the solution 6.5 The domestic approach 6.6 Judicial reasoning and the role of persuasion 6.7 Distinguishing grammatical and logical interpretation 6.8 Positive judicial argument 6.9 Aids to reasoning 6.10 The judge and the expert 6.11 The use of precedent 6.12 Precedent and reasoning 6.13 At the coal face: trial judges 6.14 Distinguishing your judgment 6.15 Ratio and obiter 7 ANALYSING JUDGMENTS: TECHNIQUES FOR CRITICISM 7.1 Criticising a judgment fairly 7.2 Analysing your disagreement objectively 7.3 Distinguishing between knowledge and opinion 7.4 The focus of your criticism 7.5 The mechanics of fair criticism 7.6 Uninformed 7.7 Misinformed 7.8 Illogical 7.9 Incompleteness 7.10 The structured critique 8 USING LAW REPORTS 8.1 Fundamentals and difficulties 8.2 The functionality of law reports 8.3 Accuracy in law reporting 8.4 Editorial anomalies Bibliography

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Book SynopsisWilliam R. McKay is a qualified solicitor and Senior Lecturer on the Legal Practice Course at London Metropolitan University.  He teaches Business Law and Practice, Intellectual Property, Employment Law, and Mediation.  He has also taught civil litigation, civil advocacy, opinion writing, drafting, and employment law on the Bar Vocational Course.  Helen E. Charlton (LL B and MA TEFL) has taught English as a foreign language for several leading language schools.  She teaches Business English to clients from major corporations and has worked in Japan. Grant Barsoumis a Senior Lecturer in Academic English and Academic Skills at London Metropolitan University.  In addition to his extensive experience in teaching English in the UK, Egypt and France, he has worked for over ten years as a translator and interpreter for the legal profession.  For the last ten years he has been teaching at universities with parTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface to the second edition Chapter 1: Academic writing Chapter 2: Reading law at university Chapter 3: Writing letters, e-mails and internal documents Chapter 4: Drafting legal documents for business Chapter 5: Drafting for court Chapter 6: Oral presentation skills Chapter 7: Interviewing and advising Chapter 8: Negotiation Chapter 9: Advocacy Appendix: Legal study and research guide Glossary Suggested answers to exercises

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Book SynopsisCriminal Litigation offers a comprehensive and practical guide to the subject. Using realistic case studies and online resources, students are encouraged to focus on putting their understanding into a practical context. Diagrams, self-test questions, and summaries of key points ensure the text is easy to use.

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Book SynopsisCivil Litigation introduces students to the processes and procedures involved in making and defending civil litigation claims. The text is ideal for students taking the Legal Practice Course or relevant LLB or LLM modules and features case studies on both a personal injury matter and a commercial matter, making it suitable for students with either a high street or a commercial focus.Following the chronological progression of a civil litigation claim, the book offers practical guidance on advising clients whilst ensuring that the latest principles of the SRA Handbook and Code of Conduct are maintained. Students on CILEx courses, new trainees in practice, and paralegals will find this practical guidance of use in both their study and their work.Innovative diagrams at the beginning of chapters clearly illustrate the litigation procedure and help students understand the nature of the process as a whole. Examples provide students with a realistic context for their learning, while issues of

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Book SynopsisOpinion Writing and Case Preparation equips trainee barristers with the tools and techniques they need to identify, analyse, and present convincing legal arguments, and gives a thorough grounding in the skill of writing opinions.With its systematic approach to legal research and fact management, the manual provides trainee barristers with an efficient and reliable method for preparing a client''s case. The fundamental qualities of effective writing are also clearly identified and explained, helping you develop this essential skill. Particular care is taken to guide you through the appropriate ways of writing opinions in a variety of contexts.

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1951, this book is a classic in its field and provides a uniquely analytical approach to the subject of advocacy.

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Book SynopsisAny notary public in England or Wales can run a successful notarial practice that is an asset to their legal career, their clients and the profession. Whether you are newly qualified or well established, you can create, adjust or transform your notarial practice so that it streamlines perfectly with your solicitor work and generates opportunities for growth and consistent income. The Four Pillars of Notarial Practice enable you to become more visible, expert, efficient and bold, and build a robust practice that is uniquely tailored to you. This book gives you the tools to: Design your ideal notarial practice Become visible to key clients and contacts Establish yourself as the expert in your field Run your practice efficiently and profitably Build a successful business that you love

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Book SynopsisIncorrect execution can lead to documents being invalid or unenforceable. Ensure that you are following the correct procedures with Execution of Documents.

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Book SynopsisSteve Foster is Principal Lecturer at Coventry Law School, where he has taught legal skills for over 40 years and where he runs courses on legal writing and research.Table of Contents Chapter 1: Writing law assessments on undergraduate courses Chapter 2: Presentation of law assessments Chapter 3: Legal reasoning and critical thinking in assessments Chapter 4: Good and bad essays Chapter 5: Answering problem questions Chapter 6: Researching and using legal materials Chapter 7: Legal referencing and citation Chapter 8: Preparing for and answering exam questions Chapter 9: Researching and writing advanced essays

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Book SynopsisWritten by two experts in the field, the Business Law LPC manual provides practical, up-to-date coverage of company, partnership, taxation, and insolvency law. The manual provides all of the required material students need to understand the latest legal developments affecting business law transactions, with a particular focus on relevant taxation law and business accounts.Examples are used throughout the manual to enable students to contextualize their learning effectively. Extensive and updated statutory references allow students both to cross-refer to appropriate primary sources, and to use the guide to interpret such sources. The book''s depth of coverage, accessible format, and clear structure make it an ideal reference for students on the Legal Practice Course.Digital formats and resourcesThis edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats.- Access to a digital version of this book comes with every purchase to enable a more flexible learning

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Book SynopsisThis well-respected and highly regarded book provides straightforward coverage of all aspects of law and police procedure that affect the community at large. It is comprehensive, easy to understand, and suitable for all readers, including those with no formal legal training. Police Law meets the reference needs of thousands of police officers, and provides an excellent source of information for members of the public wishing to refer to a legal text written in an accessible way. It is a practical volume for everyday use, which police officers and others working and studying in this area will find invaluable.This edition has been fully updated. In addition to a host of amendments to pre-existing legislation, new bodies of statute law, such as the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act 2018, and the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018, are dealt with. Case law developments are also described, as are revisions to the PACE Codes.Introduc

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Book SynopsisThe most practical foundation for law students, combining content on the English legal system, academic and professional skills, and commercial awareness and employability.Legal Systems & Skills is the essential contemporary toolkit for law students, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in their academic studies and onto employment. Accessible and engaging, with a wide range of pedagogical features to help students to apply their knowledge and think critically about the law Learning supported by annotated documents, real-life examples, flowcharts, and diagrams, providing visual representations of concepts and processes Comprehensive content on employability, including CV preparation and transferable skills, alongside features like ''Practice tip'', ''What the professionals say'' and ''Selling your skills'' Expanded coverage on sentencing, the judiciary, new routes into the legal professions, and legal technology New content on retained EU law, following post-Brexit changesTrade ReviewAn excellent resource: this well-written book provides a good introduction and overview to a broad range of topics and skills for undergraduate students. * Dr Joe Atkinson, Lecturer in Law, University of Sheffield *A comprehensive book covering the key aspects of the legal system, legal skills and employability skills--the employability section is particularly important and useful. * Dr Amy Elkington, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Chichester *The quality of the book's content is generally very high. The sections on practical skills and commercial awareness are particularly relevant and have a good level of detail and information. * Dr Carmino Massarella, Lecturer in Law, University of Hull *This textbook is great value for money and has great coverage. Fundamentally, the book puts the law into context, with an excellent number of examples to illustrate key legal skills concepts, and helps students draw introductory links between the different year one modules. I particularly like that the book does not become redundant after first year and is relevant to students throughout their LLB Law journey. * Stephen Clear, Lecturer in Law, Bangor University *Well-written and structured: Slorach's strength remains the ability to present concisely a variety of topics on content and skills. * Dr Audrey Guinchard, Senior Lecturer and Director of Legal Skills, University of Essex *Table of ContentsPart I Legal Systems 1: Introduction to law 2: Legal systems and sources of law 3: The court system of England & Wales 4: Legislation 5: Case law 6: Legal services and ethics Part II Legal Skills 7: Reading cases and legislation 8: Research 9: Problem solving and case/matter analysis 10: Persuasive oral communication and presentations 11: Client interviews and meetings 12: Negotiation and mediation 13: Advocacy and mooting 14: Writing and drafting 15: Revision and assessment Part III Employability and Commercial Awareness 16: Making yourself more employable 17: CVs, applications, and interviews 18: Understanding clients: individuals and businesses 19: Businesses and the business environment 20: Essential economics and finance 21: Law firms as businesses

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Book SynopsisConveyancing is designed for trainee solicitors studying applied land law on the Professional Practice Course in Ireland and will also be of benefit to practitioners. The manual offers complete coverage of all the knowledge needed when practising conveyancing, including the legal concept of property, and the protection, acquisition, and movement of proprietary interests.Featuring sample documentation and precedents illustrating the procedural aspects of conveyancing, this tenth edition has been fully revised to cover legislative changes, updates to taxation, and new practice directions and developments in property registration, including new sections on eRegistration, landdirect.ie, edischarges and expanded material on drafting a statement of title. This edition also includes the QeD form (Quick electronic Discharge) for Residential Property; updated Law Society Practice notes; an update to HomeBond cover for new builds and updated sample deeds and notes on title chart. The principles Table of Contents1: Introduction to Conveyancing and Systems of Registration 2: Steps in a Conveyancing Transaction 3: Ethics 4: Title 5: Investigation of Title 6: Contract for Sale 7: The Family Home 8: Drafting 9: Mortgages 10: Searches 11: Planning 12: New Houses 13: First Registration 14: Dealing with Registered Land 15: Requisitions on Title 16: Conveyancing and Taxation

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Book SynopsisCovering all aspects of the client interview, Conference Skills is designed to help trainee barristers develop the key written, interpersonal, and case-work skills required to conduct successful client conferences. Special attention is devoted to skills of questioning, listening, and advising, to ensure the trainee barrister is well equipped to maximize a client conference in terms of gathering information and giving advice.Featuring numerous how-to-do-it guides, worked examples, and realistic case documentation, the manual offers practical step-by-step guidance so that the trainee barrister can approach any client conference with confidence.

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Book SynopsisDrafting is designed to equip trainee barristers with the requisite skills to draft high-quality legal documents across all areas of practice. The manual contains practical advice on the skill of drafting in a number of legal settings, including contract, tort, and criminal proceedings.Each chapter contains numerous examples accompanied by detailed commentary on the key features of the draft. Exercises are included throughout the manual, offering the opportunity to practice and perfect your own style of drafting.

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Book SynopsisAdopting a highly practical approach, Remedies is designed to help trainee barristers identify appropriate remedial relief for their clients, and calculate damages where necessary.Remedies fully prepares trainee barristers for practice with coverage of the specific remedies which are available in various areas of law, including judicial review, trusts, unlawful discrimination, and EU remedies. The manual also details when specific remedies are available and what must be established for the chosen remedy to be granted.

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Book SynopsisA unique reference guide to taxation in conveyancing and probate practice, this manual provides the legislative background and numerous practical examples of how the taxes are calculated and the role and duty of care of the solicitor.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsContents List of Figures and Tables Introduction Acknowledgements PART A - BEFORE TOUCHING A KEYBOARD OR OPENING A BOOK … 1 WHERE TO START THE RESEARCH Preparing to undertake research Analysing the problem Deriving keywords 2 WHICH SOURCES TO USE Classifying the types of information needed Choosing the best source: print or electronic? Which sources should I search first? 3 HOW TO CHOOSE THE SOURCES Asking fundamental questions about a source Be ‘streetwise’ about using the internet PART B -SELECTING THE RIGHT SOURCE AND USING IT EFFECTIVELY 4 GENERAL LAW ENCYCLOPEDIAS Introduction United Kingdom England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland European Union International 5 LEGISLATION Introduction United Kingdom Wales Scotland Northern Ireland European Union International – bilateral treaties International – multilateral treaties (including Council of Europe) UK Treaties and agreements 6 CASE LAW Introduction England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland European Union European Court of Human Rights International 7 PROCEDURAL LAW Criminal procedure Civil procedure 8 STANDARD FORMS AND PRECEDENTS External Internal 9 WORDS AND PHRASES Introduction England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland European Union International 10 UPDATING KNOWN LAW Introduction United Kingdom England and Wales Wales Scotland Northern Ireland European Union Council of Europe International 11 COMMENTARY ON THE LAW Introduction Cross-jurisdictional United Kingdom European Union European human rights International How to cite books and journal articles Commentary via blogs and twitter 12 PRE-LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS United Kingdom European Union European human rights International 13 OTHER OFFICIAL INFORMATION United Kingdom European Union International 14 WHERE TO FIND LEGAL INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN YOUR FIRM OR CHAMBERS England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Other, free sources Three charged-for services 15 BUSINESS INFORMATION Company confirmation statements and accounts Company annual reports Filings by listed companies: offer documents, prospectuses and shareholders’ circulars Company news, market news and deals Credit worthiness Analyst reports and research Share prices Interest rates Business news Company directories Information on individuals 16 INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE AND PERSONALITIES CONNNECTED WITH THE LAW Central government Public bodies Courts Law firms Law libraries Legal professionals and their societies Expert witnesses 17 PORTALS, GATEWAYS AND MORE Portal websites Searchable subject gateway Overseas domestic law International and comparative law PART C - PRESENTING THE RESULTS EFFECTIVELY 18 WRITING TO IMPRESS What this chapter is about Advice on good writing skills Style manuals Style manuals for legal citations PART D - HOW TO GET THE BEST DEAL FROM COMMERCIAL LAW PUBLISHERS 19 BUYING LEGAL INFORMATION Introduction Which are the main commercial publishers? How to buy information in print format Challenges and pitfalls of buying online information Hints and tips when negotiating with online law information providers APPENDICES 1 Lists of Abbreviations 2 What Does this Technical Term Mean? 3 Court Directions Relating to Legal Research 4 Using Databases Better 5 Popular Names Index to UK Cases and EU Legislation and Cases Subject Index Index of Published Materials Index to Databases and Organisations

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Book SynopsisDuring any period of change, the winners are those that are able to adapt in a changing environment and it is becoming clear that the firms that are doing well, have a small number of characteristics in common. They have: * a clear strategic focus that differentiates them from their competitors; * effective leadership; * a clear grasp and understanding of the numbers. They are also responsive to change. Profitability and Law Firm Management book is intended to help those who aspire to lead a law firm to develop the skills they will need to run a successful business. One that will be better able to adapt and succeed. For most firms simply having good lawyers is no longer sufficient. Having well motivated people with business acumen, able to lead and build teams is more important. Effective business skills, an ability to spot and take advantage of opportunities and an ability to plan, manage and lead a team of people are key skills to nurture and develop. Successful firms identify people with these skills at an early stage and provide training and support to develop them. This book tries not simply to indicate what to do, but to provide some ideas on how to do it.It is not intended to be the definitive or only way of doing things, but is designed to help partners and others involved in law firm management think about their firms differently and identify ways of making them more successful. Its purpose is to help you move forward.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements, Preface, About the author, Part one -- Strategic focus;1. Values, brand and target market position;2. Developing the plan;3. Asking some difficult questions; Part two -- Leadership;4. Leadership and management;5. Managing change;6. Managing partners and CEOs;7. Team and departmental leadership;8. Professional managers; Part three -- Making sense of the figures;9. Profitability -- the underlying drivers;10. KPIs;11. Team profitability;12. Making sure everyone understands the figures;13. Working capital management;14. Understanding your firm's cost base;15. Information;16. Conclusion.

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Book Synopsis•Understand what digital transformation means in a law firm context •Explore the cultural barriers to transformation, and learn how to overcome them •Gain insight from the operating models of successful digital businesses •Develop a business case and practical strategy for digital transformation •Understand the importance of diversity and purpose in driving digital change •Manage change and adoption challenges •Build on learnings from the COVID-19 crisis to accelerate digital transformation As law firms take stock in the aftermath of COVID-19, there is an opportunity to rethink the law firm operating model for the next decade and beyond. The crisis has reinforced the importance of agility and resilience, and the critical role digital technologies play in client service. For law firms, digital transformation should no longer be viewed as an indulgence, but as an urgent necessity. For those that embrace this challenge, the rewards, for both clients and colleagues, will be substantial. Written by one of the most respected leaders of law firm innovation, this book will help those contemplating or leading digital change in law firms to develop and execute a compelling digital transformation strategy. With a particular focus on the cultural and organisational challenges inherent in a law firm partnership, the book provides practical advice on how to effect meaningful and sustainable change. This invaluable guide for law firm leaders, lawyers, and those leading digital change in a law firm includes plenty of best-practice examples from outside as well as inside the legal profession. The book provides valuable insight for start-ups and technology providers looking to partner with law firms, and for aspiring lawyers starting their professional careers. Along with practical guidance on shaping digital transformation, this engaging work will give the reader a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape in legal services, sharing diverse perspectives and case studies from leaders from different parts of the legal sector.Trade ReviewLaw firm partners will realize quickly that Isabel Parker has not pulled any punches in her concise, direct and highly informative presentation of the digital transformation imperative for law firms and how they must rethink traditional approaches to successfully transform. Her own law firm experience, extensive research and talent for clarity combine here to deliver great insights. Almost all law firms give consideration to their culture, but Parker’s treatment of the subject is among the best as she provides an in-depth explanation of what it is, why it should matter to law firms and how firms can develop a culture that fosters digital transformation. The insights from this book will be of equal value to inhouse corporate counsel undertaking transformation initiatives. As a general counsel and student of digital transformation for many years, I will highly recommend this book as ‘required reading’ to law firm partners and my inhouse team alike! -- Bill DeckelmanThoroughly enjoying Isabel Parker‘s book on successfully implementing digital transformation. Although it’s predominantly for law firms, the principles apply to in-house as well. Highly recommend! -- Eletra JaponasThis is a much-needed work, few (if any) legal professionals are more qualified by dint of experience, contacts and skill than Isabel Parker to deliver these timely messages. The book is very well written, edited and laid out as a pure visual and production matter, is well documented (but not excessively or annoyingly) by endnotes, and most of all, is well supported on all key points by case studies and interviews. The latter, importantly, are not just from law firms, but as appropriate, from digital leaders outside the legal profession. Both lend additional credibility. The author’s approach is fair and balanced; she recognizes both the undeniable strengths and current limitations in a rapidly transforming world of the traditional law firm model. She offers several plausible paths that firms can take in order to adapt, while being keenly realistic about the likely challenges to be faced and difficult choices to be made by law firms that will rise to the challenge and earnestly commit to putting client service first in today’s (and tomorrow’s) world. While focused on law firms, there are many lessons that can apply directly or with slight adaptation to in-house legal departments that are embarking on similar transformation journeys. These lessons are also helpful to corporate legal departments in terms of evaluating law firms’ innovation credibility and in picking a core group with which to partner. Similarly, vendors to both law firms and legal departments will find Ms. Parker’s insights very valuable since they provide such deep context and visibility into the workings of such a key element of the legal profession. The focus on culture is spot on and often under-appreciated; somewhat similar challenges apply in-house since so many in-house attorneys are products of the same law firm culture (and to be sure, educational system and culture of exceptionalism). They still carry some of these characteristics. As such they are often a sub-culture within their corporations, even when the corporation’s dominant culture is more dynamic and innovative. They (myself included) need to recognize this as we seek to adapt and transform. The author’s insights - and the cited research findings - about the importance of cognitive diversity, pluri-disciplinary teams and minimizing the lawyer v. non-lawyer dichotomy when evaluating new ideas apply in both worlds. Very well worth the cost and time spent in reading, highlighting and annotating carefully. -- Robert Dilworth * Managing Director & Associate General Counsel Bank of America *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements 11 Foreword by Mark A Cohen 15 Introduction 19 Part I: Why digital transformation matters – and how to get started 25 Chapter 1: What is digital transformation? 27 1. Meaningful change or management speak? 27 2. Innovation vs digital transformation 28 3. Why should law firms change? 30 3.1 Money, money, money 30 3.2 Law firm expertise 31 3.3 The mythology around law firm brand 35 4. “Only the paranoid survive” 37 5. The disruption test 38 6. The art of persuasion 39 Chapter 2: Five defining elements of successful digital companies 41 1. Framing the challenge 41 2. Adapting best practice to the law firm environment 42 3. Beware of innovation theatre 43 4. What does ‘good’ look like? 44 5. The five elements of successful digital transformation 45 5.1 Element 1: digital companies are customer-centric 45 5.2 Element 2: Successful digital companies have a digital strategy (aligned to business strategy) 61 5.3 Element 3: Successful digital companies commit to digital change 66 5.4 Element 4: For successful digital transformation, you need the best (digital) people 74 5.5 Element 5: Create a culture in which transformation can continue to flourish 80 Chapter 3: Developing the vision and strategy 87 1. Introduction 87 2. Eight steps to digital transformation 88 2.1 Step 1: Understand your firm’s business strateg 89 2.2 Step 2: Undertake a firm diagnostic and identify digital opportunity 92 2.3 Step 3: Review the competitor landscape 102 2.4 Step 4: Talk to clients 105 2.5 Step 5: Create the business case for funding 108 2.6 Step 6: Create a plan for execution and assemble the right team 123 2.7 Step 7: Create your vision and strategy document and communications plan 134 2.8 Step 8: Communicate and manage the change 141 Part II: Product development and technology 147 Chapter 4: Products 149 1. Law firm or software development house? 149 2. Embedding products into services 151 3. Law firm digital products – some examples 151 3.1 The subscription model 153 3.2 Partnering to develop and deliver products 155 3.3 Client-facing apps 156 3.4 Digital platforms 157 4. Digital products – the pros and cons 161 5. How to develop products successfully 164 5.1 Talk to customers 165 5.2 Use process 165 5.3 Establish product ownership 165 5.4 Build a team 165 5.5 Work in an agile way 166 5.6 Work cross-functionally 166 5.7 Measure success 166 5.8 Be cognisant of the culture 166 6. Establishing a process 166 7. The product lifecycle 168 7.1 Stage 1: Idea 171 7.2 Stage 2: Enablement 171 7.3 Stage 3: Validation 172 7.4 Stage 4: Proof of concept 173 7.5 Stage 5: Minimum valuable product (MVP) 174 7.6 Stage 6: Continuous delivery 174 7.7 Stage 7: Legacy 175 8. Managing the product delivery lifecycle: product ownership 175 9. Product owner skills 176 10. What does success look like? 177 10.1 The right measures 180 10.2 The go-to-market strategy 181 11. Products – or product thinking? 183 12. Products – some final thoughts 184 Chapter 5: Technology 187 1. Legal tech 187 2. Simplification and convergence: making use of what you have 189 3. Back to basics 191 3.1 Legacy 192 3.2 Leadership and digital literacy 193 3.3 Cloud 194 3.4 Data 197 4. Technology leadership 212 5. In summary 213 Part III: Sustaining the change 215 Chapter 6: Petri dish or opera house? Culture under the microscope 217 1. The link between culture and digital transformation 217 2. Defining culture 218 3. The cultural strengths of law firms 219 4. Law firm culture: the challenges 223 5. Addressing culture under strain: lessons from the financial services sector 225 5.1 Governance 230 5.2 Incentives 230 5.3 Individual accountability 231 6. The enduring nature of the partnership model 231 Chapter 7: Sustaining change – partnership 235 1. Time for a new model? 235 2. Structure and culture 237 2.1 The importance of agility 240 2.2 Investing for the long term 241 2.3 Rigidity of career structure 242 3. What are the options? 245 3.1 Option 1: Specialise 245 3.2 Option 2: Choose to change 248 3.3 Option 3: The ‘wait and see’ approach 248 4. Six structures that encourage cultural change 248 4.1 The acquisition model 249 4.2 The captive model 254 4.3 The intrapreneurship model 256 4.4 The incubation model 260 4.5 The spin-off model 262 4.6 The IPO 265 5. Choosing the right model 267 6. Structuring for success 268 Chapter 8: Sustaining change – people 269 1. Law firms are people businesses 269 2. The law firm people problem 271 3. Who law firms hire 273 3.1 The lawyers 273 3.2 The digital professionals 280 3.3 The changing role of the law firm HR function 280 4. What law firms reward 291 4.1 The danger of recruiting in your own image 291 4.2 Fee earners and fee burners 292 4.3 Cognitive diversity: the power of mixing it up 295 4.4 The challenge of multidisciplinary teams 295 4.5 What’s the alternative? 298 4.6 Cognitive diversity and psychological safety 298 Chapter 9: Sustaining change – purpose 303 1. Purpose – or perpetuity? 303 2. The corporate view of purpose 303 3. The law firm response 307 4. The role of purpose in sustaining transformation 308 5. Becoming purpose-driven – practical steps 309 Chapter 10: Final thoughts 313 Notes 319 About the author 327 Index 329 About Globe Law and Business 341

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Book SynopsisMergers and acquisitions of law firms of all sizes have become increasingly common as competition for talent and business intensifies and leading firms dominate the market in size and profitability. Lawyers and law firm leaders contemplating the future of their firms need to understand the changing dynamics of the market, and the ways in which mergers and other combinations may or may not help them fulfil their aspirations. Law Firm Mergers offers both law firm leaders and all partners a way to approach the issues, highlighting the best practices gleaned from successful combinations. Beginning with an overview of the forces driving consolidation, it discusses how to formulate and get buy-in for a strategy and how to view a merger as a potential vehicle to accelerate progress. It looks at the advantages and disadvantages of combining with other firms, and offers practical insights about the process – from the best ways to identify and evaluate potential merger candidates, to how to approach those firms, to navigating the negotiations, and common deal terms that can bridge differences over crucial factors such as compensation, capital, and governance. Beyond the financial and strategic challenges faced by firms evaluating a merger, this title also delves into the cultural and human issues that can make or break a merger, from the best way to handle sticking points in negotiations to the ways in which firm leaders can muster support internally and head off opposition from their own partners. Full of practical tips and laced with candid, first-hand insights from leaders who have successfully guided their firms through mergers, this Special Report will be the essential guide for a successful and prosperous law firm merger.Trade ReviewCongratulations! I preordered it. If I wasn’t first, I was close to it months ago; but many others have been waiting for the release too. There is no one (or two) better to guide us on this subject! Gotta go, anxious to read!!!! -- Kevin Joseph BurkeZimmermann and Morris vividly explain the forces behind the rapid consolidation of today’s legal market: how mergers are sometimes a firm’s best response to market pressures and to achieve its strategic goals. The authors outline how to weigh the pros and cons of combining with another firm and how to identify potential merger partners. This practical book offers a wealth of insights about the human issues involved and pitfalls to avoid. Candid interviews with law firm leaders who have successfully merged their firms provide a first-person perspective. The authors succeed in doing all this in a lucid, conversational style. -- Heidi K Gardner, PhDTable of ContentsForeword 7 Peter Zeughauser Zeughauser Group Acknowledgements 11 I. Understanding the flywheel effect 13 1. Introduction 13 2. Some firms are pulling away from the rest in size and momentum 14 3. Compounded growth is a crucial factor 16 4. Within a peer group, larger and more profitable firms have important advantages 17 5. The prospect of a merger can force a firm to address problems 17 6. The risk of doing nothing also has to be weighed 18 Management perspectives 22 II. Designing a strategy around strengths 29 1. Formulate a strategy that extends existing strengths 29 2. Take a hard look at your firm 30 3. Identify opportunities to exploit 31 4. Look for firms that share your strengths and aspirations 32 5. View the issue through strategy 36 6. It pays to be patient 36 Management perspectives 37 III. The special perspective of the smaller firm 41 1. Staying small has drawbacks, however 41 2. The cost of doing nothing is not nothing 43 3. There are tangible advantages to scale 43 4. How to begin evaluating the option 45 5. What to do if you want to go forward 46 IV. Missing the window, or not 47 1. Perform an honest self-evaluation 47 2. Signs the window could be closing 49 3. Standing still carries risks 50 4. Addressing weaknesses 50 Management perspectives 51 V. Taking the driver’s seat 53 1. Being reactive carries risks 54 2. Agree on criteria and frame the discussion around those 54 3. Consensus on the criteria lays the groundwork for a deal later 56 VI. Drawing up the list 57 1. Framing the initial criteria 58 2. Conducting the first screen 60 3. Profiling the most appealing candidates in depth 61 4. Prioritising your targets based on your criteria and feasibility 62 VII. The approach 65 1. Do your homework and gauge your audience 66 2. Dealing with the sceptics 70 3. Keeping quiet and preparing for leaks 73 Management perspectives 74 VIII. The second meeting and beyond 75 1. What to ask for 75 2. Start fleshing out the upside 78 3. Develop a process and a timeline 78 4. Identify make-or-break issues and work through them 79 5. Voice concerns and state priorities, not demands 81 6. Start planning how to communicate with clients 82 7. Be flexible about the legal structure 82 8. Think creatively 82 9. Avoid flipping a switch that will leave someone in the dark 84 Management perspectives 85 IX. Getting partners’ approval 89 1. How to structure a vote 91 2. How to deal with vocal opposition 91 Management perspectives 93 X. Making the deal a success 95 1. Frame a shared strategy 96 2. Build momentum 96 3. Develop and track but-for revenue 96 4. Foster and measure cross-firm collaboration 97 5. Compensate partners for fulfilling the merger goals 97 6. Leaders set the tone 97 Management perspectives 98 Notes 101 About the authors 102 About Globe Law and Business 104

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Book Synopsis“The beauty of the ABCDE model and toolkit is that it is simple but not simplistic, it’s user-friendly and works in practice.”Joanne Gubbay, Former Head of Learning and Development, Slaughter and MayLead your team of lawyers to new heights with this tried-and-tested toolkit, based on 25 years’ practical experience of getting the best out of lawyers.Leading Lawyers distils 25 years of experience at helping people do just that into one easy-to-read practical toolkit. Based on the successful ABCDE methodology, this guide will help you identify your natural leadership style, identify the various needs and personalities in your team of lawyers, and align everything to become a truly impactful and supportive leader.Packed with real-life inspiring examples, ready-made tools and memorable tips, Leading Lawyers will help you reflect on your own communication preferences, and use what you learn to get different stakeholders and different personalities on board.From scoping the project with a client to reviewing progress and success, from on-boarding a new team member to tackling a stubborn problem, there are examples each step of the way and opportunities to plan how to use the approach in practice, so you can become an even more effective team leader.SALLY SANDERSON is a multi-award-winning consultant to law firms. Specialising in leadership, emerging leaders, people and project management, she uses personality profiling to increase self-awareness and speed up development. Her ABCDE approach has been used by thousands of lawyers across the world with outstanding results.Trade ReviewCame across this book and a great insight to how lawyers think and work and lead their teams. The ABCDE model and toolkit appears user friendly. * Amazon *This book is a super easy to read and extremely useful with great practical insights. * Amazon *Table of ContentsPart 1Provides an overview of the ABCDE model which helps leaders to get better results from their teams. Then each section of the model is explored in detail, with case study examples, and with opportunities for you to do some planning on how to use it in practice. If you have never considered your own personality preferences, after the overview you might like to use Part 2 before reading the detailed sections in Part 1. Part 2This section explores different leadership styles and how they link to the ABCDE model. It should help you to identify your own style preferences. We start by looking at leaders with a very clear style where one personality preference dominates their way of communicating. But most people have more than one preference in their style, so we look at a range of leaders commonly found in law firms who represent a combination of two or three preferences. You may well recognise the style of some of the case study leaders.Part 3This section gives you some tips on how to work with and align those with different personalities – whether a team member, a boss or a client. It will help you to adapt your own style when you need to do so to motivate, influence and manage others. It will make you aware of which parts of the ABCDE message different personalities listen out for, which parts motivate them and which parts they might ignore, which could lead to lower levels of performance. This section aims to help you get the best out of your interactions with all those important for your team’s and project’s success.Part 4This is the first part of the ABCDE toolkit. It provides a series of ABCDE conversation tools to help you in different situations where you are leading and managing a project team – whether for clients or for internal projects such as for business development or making your firm more competitive. Tools include scoping and planning, briefing the team, delegating part of a project, reviewing progress, reporting to stakeholders and conducting an end of project/matter review.Part 5The second part of the ABCDE toolkit focuses on conversation leaders have with individual team members from when they join the team through to delegating, praising, coaching, tackling problems, performance reviews and development planning. Whether a team member is a high flyer, a solid performer or struggling, you can adapt these tools to give them the support they need to deliver their best.AppendixThis section gives you some links to personal profiling tools which are compatible with the ABCDE model: DISC, Insights and Social Styles.

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Book SynopsisWith legal fees coming under increasing scrutiny, all law firms, whether they charge by the hour or operate alternative fee arrangements (AFAs) will need to negotiate fees; be it a discount to an hourly rate or a year-long fixed retainer. Budgeting and negotiating skills will be needed by all fee earners with responsibility for agreeing any fees or discounts. The more a firm uses AFAs, the more important budgeting and negotiating becomes. Budgeting and Negotiating Fees with Clients: A Lawyer's Guide is a must-have handbook for individual lawyers, firm leaders and directors of support services who are looking to tackle these challenges head on at both an operational and a strategic level. It provides: * Clear analysis of the increasing importance of budgeting and negotiating fees for all firms whether they have adopted AFAs or rely on hourly rates; * A step-by-step guide for improving individual behaviour and firm-wide processes; and * Practical tools for generating consistently profitable fee structures. Supported by case studies from law firms and law firm clients, along with input from other management consultants, this report covers topics including: * Fee models adopted by law firms; * How AFAs are intensifying the need for budgeting and negotiating skills; * Alternative fees - risks and how to avoid them; * Understanding law firm financial data - a prerequisite for successful budgeting and negotiation; * Creating a realistic matter budget; * An introduction to legal project management; * Overcoming obstacles to negotiating fees effectively; * Managing the negotiation process effectively; * Obtaining the desired fees and structures; * Tips, tactics and tricks for negotiating; * Developing a strategy for better budgeting and negotiating; * Implementing change and embedding best practice; * Business tools for budgeting, negotiating and client communication; * How to operate value billing; and * Best practice law firm negotiation from a client's perspective. This invaluable resource also includes supporting checklists and templates to allow readers to start putting the lessons learnt throughout the report into practice immediately.Table of ContentsExecutive summary...VII About the author...IX Acknowledgements...XI Part One: Understanding law firm fee models, budgeting and negotiation Chapter 1: The universal law firm fee continuum...3 Fee models adopted by law firms...3 Introducing the universal law firm fee continuum...4 Common positions on the continuum...4 Why firms must progress along the continuum...7 Chapter 2: How AFAs are intensifying the need for budgeting and negotiating skills...9 Alternative fees: Hype or reality...9 Continued forces of change...10 Impact of AFAs...14 Chapter 3: Alternative fees - Risks and how to avoid them...17 Risk 1: Alternative fees are not as profitable as hourly rates...17 Risk 2: Alternative fees transfer risk to the law firm...18 Risk 3: Alternative fees will lead to commoditization and erode premiums...20 Risk 4: Alternative fee structures are not compatible with billable hours targets...21 Chapter 4: Understanding law firm financial data - A prerequisite for successful budgeting and negotiating...23 The significance of profit...24 The importance of cash...26 Traps for the unwary...28 Actionable data...28 Chapter 5: Creating a realistic matter budget...33 Are budgets necessary?...33 The link between annual and matter budgets...34 Historic price information...35 Matter plans...36 Matter budgets...38 A word on tools...42 Chapter 6: Staying within budget - The art of legal project management...43 Executing the matter plan...43 Monitoring performance and making adjustments...44 Sizing up the legal project management revolution: Origins, implementation and future direction By Pamela Woldow and Douglas Richardson, Edge International...45 Chapter 7: Overcoming obstacles to negotiating fees...53 Overcoming obstacles at the individual lawyer level...53 Firm-wide support...56 Chapter 8: Managing the negotiation process...59 Negotiation stages...59 Chapter 9: How to obtain the desired fees and structures...65 Distinguishing value from price...65 Determining value...65 Creating options...68 Ingredients of winning proposals...69 Chapter 10: Tips, tactics and tricks...71 Tips...71 Tactics...75 Tricks...78 Chapter 11: Developing a strategy for better budgeting and negotiating...81 Taking stock...81 Developing and communicating vision and strategy...83 Chapter 12: Implementing change and embedding best practice...87 Developing personal insight...87 Changing structures and systems...88 Developing firm wide and individual capability...91 Changing firm culture...94 Delivering success...94 Part Two: Case studies Case study 1: DMH Stallard LLP - Business tools for budgeting, negotiating and client communication...101 The business tools...101 How the tools were developed...102 Implementation...102 Impact on the firm...103 Continuous improvement and challenges for the future...104 Case study 2: Crowell & Moring LLP - Using AFAs and value-based billing...105 Alternative fees used by Crowell & Moring...105 Genesis of AFAs at the firm...106 Spotlight on value billing...106 Impact on the firm...108 Client reactions to Crowell & Moring's fee propositions...108 Continuous improvement and challenges for the future...108 Case study 3: A client perspective...111 Procurement objectives...111 How procurement teams achieve cost savings...111 Preferred fee structures...112 How law firms can prepare for negotiations...113 Behaviour to avoid...114 How to impress...115 Part Three: Appendices Appendix 1: Matter plan template...119 Appendix 2: Matter budget template...121 Appendix 3: Pre-negotiation checklist...123 Index...127

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Book SynopsisThe legal profession needs more than law. Whether you are a student, a law school, a university, a law firm or an in-house legal team, The Legal Team of the Future is the definitive guide to understanding and building the holistic skills required of those working in legal services now and in the future. Highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary teams working collaboratively to solve legal problems, the book introduces a ‘Law+’ model for the profession, comprising sixteen skills across four quadrants: Law+People, Law+Business, Law+Change and Law+Technology. As well as outlining each of the skills, the book explains how to build those skills as an individual, a law firm, an in-house team, a university or a law school. Designed for both lawyers and business professionals working in law, The Legal Team of the Future dispels the myth that the ‘lawyer of the future’ is solely responsible for the future of the profession, instead focusing on diverse individuals working within their own specializations. The Law+ model is more than an academic theory, containing real-world examples and case studies and devised by an expert in legal innovation who is still working in the field on a daily basis. This book is the guide you need to navigate the future of the legal profession and to stay ahead of the pack in delivering legal services to clients.

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Book SynopsisAimed at law students and upper-level undergraduates, this primer on legal reasoning is also an original exposition of basic legal concepts that scholars and lawyers will find stimulating. Schauer’s analysis of what makes legal reasoning special will be a valuable guide for students and a challenge to a wide range of current academic theories.Trade ReviewA welcome complement to [Edward] Levi’s approach, as well as being easier for the legal novice to understand. Yet Schauer’s book also offers the lawyer and scholar useful perspective on what he or she does. -- Brian Leiter * Times Literary Supplement *Thinking Like a Lawyer is excellent reading material for anyone wishing a deeper and more nuanced—even a more magnanimous—understanding of the motivations behind law’s often convoluted pronouncements. -- John Azzolini * Law Library Journal *This book will belong on every law professor’s and law student’s bookshelf—and on many others’ bookshelves as well. -- Lawrence A. Alexander, University of San Diego School of Law, author of Is There a Right of Freedom of Expression?Thinking Like a Lawyer is well-designed to work for first-year law school classes. It covers the most important themes relating to law and legal reasoning, and manages to do so in ways that are accessible and thought-provoking. -- Brian H. Bix, University of Minnesota, author of Jurisprudence: Theory and ContextThinking Like a Lawyer is by far the best available introduction to legal reasoning, of interest to law students and their teachers alike. It should be enlightening to the general reader as well, who will learn what, for better and perhaps for worse, distinguishes ‘thinking like a lawyer’ from other approaches to analyzing social problems. -- Sanford V. Levinson, University of Texas Law School, author of Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes WrongSchauer is a leading scholar of jurisprudence and legal process, and his new book is as comprehensive, thorough, and sophisticated an introduction to legal reasoning as it is a lucid one. All of the bases are covered, and law students, teachers, practicing lawyers, and judges alike will gain perspective and insight from seeing the entire range of legal reasoning techniques laid out before them. -- Richard A. Posner, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, author of How Judges ThinkTable of Contents* Preface * Is There Legal Reasoning? * Rules--in Law and Elsewhere 2.1 Of Rules in General 2.2 The Core and the Fringe 2.3 The Generality of Rules 2.4 The Formality of Law * The Practice and Problems of Precedent 3.1 Precedent in Two Directions 3.2 Precedent--The Basic Idea 3.3 A Strange Idea 3.4 On Identifying a Precedent 3.5 On the Force of Precedent--Overruling, Distinguishing, and Other Types of Avoidance * Authority and Authorities 4.1 The Idea of Authority 4.2 On Binding and So-Called Persuasive Authority 4.3 Why Real Authority Need Not be "Binding" 4.4 Can There Be Prohibited Authorities? 4.5 How Authorities Become Authoritative * The Use and Abuse of Analogies 5.1 On Distinguishing Precedent from Analogy 5.2 On the Determination of Similarity 5.3 The Skeptical Challenge 5.4 Analogy and the Speed of Legal Change * The Idea of the Common Law 6.1 Some History and a Comparison 6.2 On the Nature of the Common Law 6.3 How Does the Common Law Change? 6.4 Is the Common Law Law? 6.5 A Short Tour of the Realm of Equity * The Challenge of Legal Realism 7.1 Do Rules and Precedents Decide cases? 7.2 Does Doctrine Constrain Even if It Does Not Direct? 7.3 An Empirical Claim 7.4 Realism and the Role of the Lawyer 7.5 Critical Legal Studies and Realism in Modern Dress * The Interpretation of Statutes 8.1 Statutory Interpretation in the Regulatory State 8.2 The Role of the Text 8.3 When the Text Provides No Answer 8.4 When the Text Provides a Bad Answer 8.5 The Canons of Statutory Construction * The Judicial Opinion 9.1 The Causes and Consequences of Judicial Opinions 9.2 Giving Reasons 9.3 On Holding and Dicta 9.4 The Declining Frequency of Opinions * Making Law with Rules and Standards 10.1 The Basic Distinction 10.2 Rules, Standards, and the Question of Discretion 10.3 Stability and Flexibility 10.4 Rules and Standards in Judicial Opinions * Law and Fact 11.1 On the Idea of a Fact 11.2 Determining Facts at Trial--The Law of Evidence and Its Critics 11.3 Facts and the Appellate Process * The Burden of Proof and Its Cousins 12.1 The Burden of Proof 12.2 Presumptions 12.3 Deference and the Allocation of Decision-Making Responsibility * Index

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Book SynopsisIn-house lawyers need and want to develop their professional and management skills. But unlike lawyers practising in law firms, there may not be dedicated resources designed to support them. It will often be a case of DIY. Managing and Developing Your Career as an In-house Lawyer by Ian White and Simon McCall is a companion to their report Your Role as General Counsel: How to Survive and Thrive in Your Role as GC. It seeks to provide practical ideas and tips on how a busy in-house lawyer can actively manage their own development. The aim is to help them perform more effectively in their current role and also prepare them for promotion or a move elsewhere. It covers: Taking responsibility for your own development; Being a businessperson as well as a lawyer; Doing an MBA – or recreating the MBA experience by learning from other people in the business; Moving into a leadership role; Honing key personal skills – delegating, giving feedback, listening, motivating; Becoming a coach or mentor to your team; Developing your career beyond the GC role – within or outside your organisation; and Taking on a non-executive director role. This Special Report is essential reading for any in-house lawyer wanting to continue learning and developing and enhance their career prospects. It is relevant for recently appointed in-house lawyers all the way up to more established GCs.Table of ContentsI. Introduction 5 1. How it all came about 5 2. Who has this Special Report been written for? 5 3. Why you need this Special Report 6 4. How this Special Report is set out 7 5. A way of looking at development 9 II. Moving in-house 11 1. Why? And is it for you? 11 2. What makes working in-house different? 12 3. No longer a one-way street 14 III. Learning about other functions – business and management skills 15 1. What skills are needed and where can you acquire them? 15 IV. Skills for the in-house lawyer 19 1. Developing your team 19 2. Moving upwards 32 V. The lawyer as coach and mentor 35 1. Coaching 35 2. Mentoring 42 VI. Developing your career away from law (but in a legal environment) 45 1. What does the new organisation need from you? 45 2. What will you be doing? 46 3. Conclusion 48 VII. Developing your career in-house (but not as a lawyer) 49 1. Getting to be GC or a similar role 49 2. The options when you become GC or a senior lawyer 50 VIII.Developing your career after law 59 1. The importance of managing your career life 59 2. One reason to develop a post-law career: you may be working at 103! 60 3. Or is it just luck? 62 4. Developing a different type of CV 62 5. Where to get help 63 6. Becoming a non-executive director 65 IX. Some final words of wisdom 67 1. Advice and tips 67 2. Concluding thoughts 72 Endnotes 74 About the authors 76 About Globe Law and Business 78 Notes and ideas 79

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Book SynopsisDrafting is designed to equip trainee barristers with the requisite skills to draft high-quality legal documents across all areas of practice. The manual contains practical advice on the skill of drafting in a number of legal settings, including contract, tort, and criminal proceedings.Each chapter contains numerous examples accompanied by detailed commentary on the key features of the draft. Exercises are included throughout the manual, offering the opportunity to practice and perfect your own style of drafting.Digital formatsThis edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats.The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewRipstein ... done a great service to the philosophical debate on the morality of war. * Lior Erez, Haifa University, Israel, Springer Nature Switzerland *Table of ContentsDedication Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Perpetual War or Perpetual Peace Chapter 2: Political Independence, Territorial Integrity, and Private Law Analogies Chapter 3: National Defense Chapter 4: Ius In Bello I: Perfidy Chapter 5: Ius In Bello II: Combatants and Civilians Chapter 6: Ius In Bello III: Punishment Chapter 7: Ius In Bello IV: New Types of War Chapter 8: Ius Post Bellum: Kant's Juridical Critique of Colonialism Chapter 9: The Structure of Peace: Global Institutions and Cosmopolitan Right

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisLawyers'' Skills helps students develop the legal skills required for successful practice in the modern solicitor''s firm. The book equips students with a solid understanding of the theory and concepts underpinning the key skills areas of legal writing and drafting, interviewing and advising, practical legal research, and advocacy. Guidance is also provided on a range of other professional skills which should be mastered before going into practice, including effective time management, negotiation, and email etiquette.The inclusion of realistic examples from practice, tasks, and reflective exercises emphasizes the interactive nature of skills as a subject and encourages students to develop, practise, and refine their legal skills. Chapter summaries, diagrams, and self-test questions are also featured throughout and provide additional learning support to students. The text is essential reading for all LPC students and is also a useful source of reference for newly-qualified practitioners.Digital formats and resourcesThis edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported by online resources. - Access to a digital version of this book comes with every purchase to enable a more flexible learning experience - 12 month''s access to this title on Oxford Learning Link will be available from 15 July 2022. Access must be redeemed by 1 August 2024. - The online resources for students include a selection of realistic sample documentation designed to highlight legal writing and drafting in action across a range of legal documents, and references to further reading for those wishing to delve deeper into the subject area. - For lecturers a test bank of multiple choice questions is available to registered adopters and can be used to assess students'' understanding of topics covered in the book.Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Interviewing and advising 3: Legal writing 4: Drafting legal documents 5: Legal research 6: Practical problem-solving 7: Negotiation 8: Advocacy and the solicitor 9: Managing your workload 10: Continuing your learning

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Focusing on the processes involved in taking law exams, this book demonstrates how students can do justice to themselves by adopting the techniques employed by successful examinees. Suggestions are made as to the ways in which materials can be manipulated and legal arguments marshalled; and methods are identified by which both essay and, more especially, problem questions can be approached.

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Book SynopsisSolicitors'' Accounts provides a user-friendly guide to a subject that often poses serious problems for students unfamiliar with the principles and practice of accounting. It provides comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of all areas required by the Solicitors'' Regulation Authority for business accounts and solicitors'' accounts on the Legal Practice Course, including full coverage of double-entry book-keeping and final accounts of sole owners, partnerships and companies. It also deals with the Solicitors'' Accounts Rules and the practical application of these in solicitors'' accounts, including property and probate transactions. Each chapter starts with an overview of the areas to be covered and also states the learning objectives the student should aim to achieve. Contextual examples are used throughout the chapters demonstrating how the principles of accounting should be applied to situations in practice. At the end of each chapter there is a checklist of the key areas students must Table of Contents1. Introduction to solicitors' accounts and basic bookkeeping ; 2. The Trial Balance ; 3. Final accounts ; 4. Adjustments to final accounts ; 5. Further adjustments to final accounts ; 6. Partnership accounts ; 7. Basic accounting concepts and trading accounts ; 8. Company accounts ; 9. Group companies and consolidated accounts ; 10. Interpretation of accounts and accounting ratios ; 11. Basic solicitors' accounts ; 12. Transfers and mixed money ; 13. Value added tax ; 14. Financial statements and property transactions ; 15. Deposit interest and interest payable to clients ; 16. Probate transactions ; 17. Further transactions ; 18. Short answer questions and revision questions on solicitors' accounts

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to writing and drafting from the first stage of preparation to the final edit. Features checklists, worked examples and chapters on using email, and designed to accompany readers from vocational study through to their qualification as solicitors as well as throughout the early years of practice.Table of ContentsPART 1. PLAIN ENGLISH AND THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF LEGAL WRITING AND DRAFTING; PART 2. LETTERS, EMAILS AND AND OTHER FORMS OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION; PART 3. DRAFTING

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Book SynopsisUnsure what skills employers are looking for or how best to develop and demonstrate them? With coverage of the core academic, practical, and transferable skills that can be gained during your studies,Employability Skills for Law Students will help you develop the employability skills you need to pursue your chosen career on graduation.Trade ReviewA must buy for any law student determined to make their mark on the legal job-market - I highly recommend it * George Laurencin, Head of Employability, School of Law and Social Sciences, University of East London *If you are thinking of starting an undergraduate law degree, or have already started it, you should seriously consider buying a copy of Employability Skills for Law Students. * The Student Law Journal *If you spend some time reading the tips, you will be better prepared and maximise your prospects of a successful outcome. At less than £30, Employability Skills for Law Students is a very worthwhile investment. * The Student Law Journal *Table of ContentsPART I: UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS; PART II: IDENTIFYING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS; PART III: BUILDING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS; PART IV: FOCUSSING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS; PART V: DEMONSTRATING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

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Book SynopsisHow should you choose your dissertation topic? What is the best research method to adopt? What is going to make your dissertation achieve the best grades? This book provides a guide to various stages of the research and writing process for law students, and answers the many questions that face first-time researchers.Table of ContentsCONTENTS Introduction Chapter 1. How to Begin - Introduction - What is 'research'? - What is a 'dissertation'? - How to choose your dissertation topic - Specific suggestions for getting you started - Identifying the key issues and marginal issues in your dissertation - Is the research viable in practice? - Putting pen to paper - Conclusion Chapter 2. Getting Along With Your Supervisor - Introduction - Choosing your supervisor - When to choose - What can you expect from your supervisor? - The role of the dissertation supervisor - Devise your own 'learning contract' - At the beginning of your supervision - Writing the dissertation - Meeting your supervisor - Reviewing draft chapters - How much supervision? - Making the most of constructive criticism and formative feedback - Common problems with supervision - Conclusion Chapter 3. Selecting Suitable Approaches to the Conduct of Dissertation Research - Introduction - Resistance to methodological discussion - Positive reasons for engaging in methodological discussion - Recognising the implications of the tension between different research methodologies - Avoiding the pitfalls of selecting an inappropriate methodology -

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Book SynopsisCommon-law judgments tend to be more than merely judgments, for judges often make pronouncements that they need not have made had they kept strictly to the task in hand. Why do they do this? The Intricacies of Dicta and Dissent examines two such types of pronouncement, obiter dicta and dissenting opinions, primarily as aspects of English case law. Neil Duxbury shows that both of these phenomena have complex histories, have been put to a variety of uses, and are not amenable to being straightforwardly categorized as secondary sources of law. This innovative and unusual study casts new light on and will prompt lawyers to pose fresh questions about the common law tradition and the nature of judicial decision-making.Trade Review'Professor Duxbury provides us with a wealth of scholarship and some valuable insights into two aspects of judging which have not received much attention to date. In particular, he shows us how the two are inter-related – all dissents being essentially obiter dicta – and debunks the myth that today's dissent is tomorrow's orthodoxy – although I hope that it is not always a myth.' Brenda Hale, the Baroness Hale of Richmond, former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom'A very thoughtful discussion of two aspects of judicial practice which deserve more attention, exploring how obiter dicta are used to fit an individual case into a wider principled legal scheme and what moves judges to write dissents. It encouraged me to reflect more deeply about my own judicial writing.' Philip Sales, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council'In these twin essays of breathtaking range and erudition, Neil Duxbury illuminates two largely unstudied ways in which judges contribute to the common law by expressing views that create no binding precedent. Anyone interested in the craft of judging will be wiser, as well as hugely well informed, after reading this book.' George Leggatt, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom'Advocates and judges constitute a small minority of the legal profession. But they and others will be rewarded by reading this attractive, succinct monograph, which is an exemplary and insightful study into under-appreciated aspects of the craft of judgment writing and legal argument…. It is difficult to imagine readers who would not emerge wiser from reading the account of the changing attitudes to majority decisions of multi-member courts.' Mark Leeming, Judge of Appeal, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Cambridge Law Journal'Anyone writing on either dicta or dissent shall firmly stand upon the shoulders of this book.' Elijah Granet, Notes on the Style of the Law'I warmly recommend this lepidum novum libellum. Its charm is different from that of Catullus, but it is immensely readable, and readers will be richly rewarded.' Mark Leeming, Cambridge Law JournalTable of ContentsPreface; Table of cases; Prologue; Essay I. Dicta: introduction; 1. The civilian dimension; 2. Case law as common law; 3. 'Obiter' as legal entity; 4. Dicta depicted; 5. Oblique strategies; 6. Engines of confusion; 7. The necessity test; 8. Cheap talk; 9. Dicta and dicta; 10. Nearly law?; 11. Observation and authority; 12. The sources problem; Essay II. Dissent: introduction; 13. Some preliminary observations on dissent; 14. The nature of judicial dissent; 15. Without contraries is no progression?; 16. Stalemates and motivations; 17. Dissents, decisions, and courts; 18. The tug of unanimity in England's courts; 19. Dissent in an apex court; 20. When is a dissent not a dissent?; 21. Minorities as authorities; 22. Are we agreed?; Index.

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Book SynopsisBecoming a lawyer is about much more than acquiring knowledge and technique. As law students learn the law and acquire some basic skills, they are also inevitably forming a deep sense of themselves in their new roles as lawyers. That sense of self  the student's nascent professional identity needs to take a particular form if the students are to fulfil the public purposes of lawyers and find deep meaning and satisfaction in their work. In this book, Professors Patrick Longan, Daisy Floyd, and Timothy Floyd combine what they have learned in many years of teaching and research concerning the lawyer's professional identity with lessons derived from legal ethics, moral psychology, and moral philosophy. They describe in depth the six virtues that every lawyer needs as part of his or her professional identity, and they explore both the obstacles to acquiring and deploying those virtues and strategies for overcoming those impediments. The result is a straightforward guide for law stuTable of Contents1. Introduction and Overview; 2. Motivation and Professional Identity; 3. Competence as a Professional Virtue; 4. Fidelity to the Client as a Professional Virtue; 5. Fidelity to the Law as a Professional Virtue; 6. Public Spiritedness as a Professional Virtue; 7. Civility as a Professional Virtue; 8. Practical Wisdom as a Professional Virtue; 9. Professional Identity and the Future of the Legal Profession

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