Abstract

This book marks the retirement of Donald Harris as Director of the Socio-Legal Studies Institute, Oxford University. Dr Harris was at the forefront of the move in legal scholarship from traditional black-letter approaches to one supplemented by a socio-legal perspective, making use of the insights of the social sciences. His success can be seen in this unique volume of original essays by some of the most distinguished scholars in this field, all of whom have connections with the Centre. The essays range from an economic analysis of the law, the behaviour of lawyers in the business world, the property and financial consequences of divorce, to current tensions between judges and politicians. All are fused by their achievement in providing a succinct summary of the current state of research while making a considered assessment of future directions.