Customer Rating: 
Summary: An introduction and explanation into the very cogs of our society
Comment: After reading this book, I question how my ignorance regarding the law had managed to be so far-reaching! If you are looking for an in-depth discussion of the development of, and current, legal situation, this is not the book for you. By its own admission, it is intended purely as an introduction with aspects of development and explanation thrown in - but this is not a weakness of the book by any means. As a prospective law student, this book allowed me to begin to enter the world of the law, with all its manifest profundities and absurd historic quirks, and it is a world I look forward to learning more about.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in how our society functions or for anyone about to be involved in legal proceedings (be they as a divorcee, defendant or accused!) It is written in a style that is easy to read and is supported by frequent examples and clarifications.
In summary, if you want a legal overview of the UK, buy this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A nice introduction to the English Legal System
Comment: "The Law Machine" by Marcel Berlins and Clare Dyer, is an introductory book regarding the law, which is an intrinsic part of a nation. Without having any prior legal knowledge of English legal system whatsoever, it gave me good groundings upon the everchanging respective field. For that reason, the book that is to be considered must be fully updated- that actually it was. Basically, inspired by a television programme, it explains The Criminal and Civil process of law, using the case portrayed in the television. The author explicitly enunciates the judicial hierarchy, and then goes on to describes the lawyers. The author has honestly touched every part of law from confused and struggling novice barristers to well-paid solicitors, and the dominancy of barristers in the judiciary. This was the first book I used for an introductory reading and it acquainted me with much of basic knowledge that I was lacking and most of my questions have been answered. The language used by the authors is generally simple, though the book sometimes seems to be a bit turgid. Nonetheless, the reason for which I bought the book, that is to gain an acquaintanceship with the English Legal System has been, without a doubt, been fulfilled. To be succinct, its a reliable introductory law book.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: A very good starter text
Comment: This is not a book for the advanced law student but why they want it anyway. For those taking an A level or starting on a degree course it gives an excellent initial guide to the legal maze and will make further studies much easier. Its layout takes you through legal and civil case scenarios in a virtual story book form.Its a fairly east way to assimilate the basics of the English Legal System and I would definitely encourage the beginer to read it
Customer Rating:
Summary: A refreshing but shallow law book
Comment: 'The Law Machine' a book which is now in its fifth edition was originally developed from the television series 'The Law Machine' which was broadcasted in the early eighties. The concept was that real and professional barristers, solicitors and even Judges carried out their normal duties, within a fictitious legal story, with actors playing the victims, witnesses and culprits of civil and criminal battles.Unfortunately, the book has very little relevance to the actual television series, which was there to give the public a special insight into the impact of true law.
If you're a person already interested in reading about the law, especially for educational purposes, whether it is, at A-level or degree standard, this is a book, which will undoubtedly disappoint you from the outset. The book would be more suitable for a person, whom has no or very little knowledge of the law, and wants to get a taster for the wonderful, intriguing and convoluted aspects of the English Legal System. It does however still hold a refreshing approach into introducing the law to beginners who do not wish to learn about it academically.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Invaluable to the law degree beginner
Comment: Few writers manage accurately guide the reader through the maze that is the English Legal System. Perhaps, even fewer manage to present it in the logical and comprehensible manner that most, new, law students require. The Law Machine offers a complete overview of the English Legal System from the frontline Citizens Advice Bureaux to highest, domestic court, the House of Lords, It provides detailed factual information and well-reasoned critique of the issues and problems, that are continually moulding the development of our legal system. For me, the Law Machine's strength lies in the fact that unlike so many legal textbooks its not wholly rooted in the past. The Law machine looks to the future, to introduction of a Criminal Defence Service, the increasingly unsustainable split legal professions and the recent incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights. In essence, it is a book that is an invaluable introduction to the English Legal System, well-suited to students of A-Level law and law degree undergradutes. There's hope out there for all us law students and it begins here.
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