Civil Litigation Handbook 2008-2009

by Cunningham-Hill, Susan; Elder, Karen

• ISBN13: 9780199539383
• ISBN10: 0199539383
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-11-15
• Publisher: Blackstone Press

Summary

Emphasizing the practical application of knowledge through the use of case studies, this text is ideal for students taking the Legal Practice Course. Aimed squarely at the requirements of this course, both in terms of content and approach, the Civil Litigation Handbook provides students with an engaging learning resource. Innovative diagrams at the start of appropriate chapters make clear the way in which the litigation procedure works 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 costs, best practice, and professional conduct are clearly highlighted. Alternative dispute resolution is given appropriate practical emphasis, and references to the Civil Procedure Rules throughout make sure that students are ready for life in practice. Featuring case studies on both a personal injury matter and a commercial matter, this text is suitable for students with both a high street or a commercial focus. Online Resource Centre This text is fully supported by extensive online resources for both student and lecturer use. Documentation relating to the two case studies within the book gives students a realistic picture of how these cases may progress in reality, while links to useful web sites allow students to use the site as a base from which to visit sites likely to be used in practice. An interactive timeline backs up the diagrams featured within the book, ensuring that students are able to see how the procedural steps fit together in the wider litigation process. Annotated forms provide guidance on how those forms should be completed, fully preparing students for the practical work they will encounter during their training contract. For lecturers, video footage which relates to the case studies within the book is available for download onto a Virtual Learning Environment. Alongside this, a test bank of questions also compatible with Virtual Learning Environments provides a valuable tool for assessing students' understanding.

Author Biography

Susan Cunningham-Hill is a Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University. She has extensive experience of teaching civil litigation to LPC students and has been involved in the preparation and delivery of litigation courses. She has also practised as a solicitor for more than 20 years, predominantly in commercial and personal injury litigation.
Karen Elder is a non-practising solicitor, accredited commercial mediator and Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University. She has extensive experience of teaching civil litigation to LPC students and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She practised as a solicitor for 14 years acting for both claimant and defendant in commercial, construction and personal injury matters.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The ethos of modern litigation

Costs information to the client and funding options

Costs - an overview

Alternative dispute resolution

The first client meeting and initial considerations

Pre-action substantive matters

Pre-action Protocols and Protocol practice

Starting your claim and serving it on the defendant

Acting for a defendant responding to the claim

Drafting statements of case

Case management

Interim application - general considerations

Interim applications - common types

Trainee's guide to interim hearings

Part 36 offers and concluding a claim

Disclosure and inspection

Witness statements and documentary evidence

Experts and expert evidence

Preparing for trial and appealing judgment

Assessment of costs

Enforcement of judgments

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