Civil Court Service 2015- The Brown Book

BOOK REVIEW

CIVIL COURT SERVICE 2015

General Editor: District Judge Graeme Smith and a team of contributors
Includes a CD

Jordan Publishing

ISBN: 978 1 78473 058 1


GOOD NEWS FOR “BROWN BOOK” PRACTITIONERS:
THE ‘NEW CIVIL COURT SERVICE 2015’ IS OUT NOW.

An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers

Once again Jordan’s has published its new edition of the Civil Court Service 2015, widely known and appreciated as ‘The Brown Book.’ At the time of its publication at around Easter of this year it was regarded as the most up to date statement on main civil jurisdiction practice.

As it has appeared annually since 1999, this in itself is a testament to the high regard in which it is held by practitioners. Publishing annually is of course a dire necessity in view of the relentless tide of changes constantly emerging within the civil justice system.

In this 800th anniversary year of Magna Carta, ‘what,’ asks General Editor Graeme Smith, ‘would King John and the barons have made of today’s civil justice system?’ If there’s an answer to that, it would probably be that they’d need “The Brown Book”. Well, actually, the barons would. King John was most probably illiterate.

This new edition reflects the latest amendments to the CPR, which indicate its continuing state of change. There are amendments to reflect case law… to incorporate new legislation… and to incorporate new European regulations and amended European regulations. There is a new Part incorporating the remaining rules of the High and County Courts. Other amendments, the RTA Protocol, for example reflect changes in policy or practice which are most welcome.

Logically organized with the needs of the practitioner in mind, the editors and contributors have introduced a new style of introduction for the Parts of the Rules most frequently referred to. This, for example, includes an overview of the Part, a list of the relevant Principal Forms, a summary of significant recent developments and more.

Another change implemented in response to reader demand is that the Courts Directory, now online and therefore omitted from the previous edition, has now been reinstated in this new one, following quite sensible suggestions that practitioners do need to have this information available in a work of reference as well as online. (Would that other institutions and/or publications would take this responsive and enlightened view.)

Certainly this volume of more than 3,300 pages is an invaluable reference resource, containing tables of statutes, statutory instruments, cases and practice directions. There is a detailed index at the back and -- this is handy -- a Civil Procedure Rules Quick Finder on the inside back cover. Also attached to the back cover is a CD-ROM. Note too, the ‘stop press’ insert listing the latest developments on fees.

We as practitioners are grateful - believe us - for this excellent service -- reliable, current and unarguably speedy -- provided by this new ‘Civil Court Service.’ Every practitioner needing to stay up to date with developments within the civil jurisdiction should acquire a copy.