Written in a highly engaging and approachable style, the fourth edition of Introduction to the English Legal System is an ideal foundation for all those coming new to the study of law. It introduces readers to the purposes and functions of law and the law-making process; it also explains what is happening to the English legal system, why it is happening, and considers what the future may bring. It covers recent institutional developments and their significance for key matters of public interest including human rights, control of crime, fears of a compensation culture, and access to justice.