LN Say Halsbury's New 5th Edition To Reflect Changes In The Law

Written by Sean Hocking

24 April 2008 – Halsbury’s Laws, published by LexisNexis has launched its fifth edition  and  Lexis Nexis say it is designed to mark the far-reaching changes and innovations in the law over the last 35 years - from the emergence of Human Rights to new areas of law covering sport and information technology. The new edition will be contained in 102 volumes which is a graphic indication of the inexorable growth of the law and the amount of new material which is being incorporated. Halsbury’s Laws has rebuilt its title scheme and will include new volumes on Rights and Freedoms Matrimonial and Civil Partnerships Sports Law Sentence and Sentencing Information Technology Consumer Protection Immigration and Asylum Environment and Public Health Licensing & Gambling “The legal landscape has changed remarkably over the last 35 years. There have been fundamental changes due to three critical factors: European Law; Human Rights; and a shifting social climate,” says Halsbury's Laws of England publisher, Simon Hetherington. “We have seen the growth of European law. It was regarded as marginal and sometimes inconvenient in the early 1970s, but has come to be recognised as a source of law, equal or superior to national law which must be given full consideration in any affected area. “Human Rights used to be a last resort. Now Human Rights are everywhere. Every court can consider the Human Rights Convention and every Bill before Parliament must state whether it is Convention-compliant. “And there has been deep-rooted social change which has seen a massive legislative programme promoting a free market and encouraging a culture of  individual interest, typified by the prevalence of  words such as ‘choice’, ‘charter’, ‘competition’, ‘equality’ and ‘rights’.” The press release goes on to sing the praises of Halsbury .. so for those of you who don't like blurb speak it's probaby best to stop reading here...... Halsbury’s Laws is part of the legal establishment – a cornerstone of research. It has even been described as the closest thing Britain has to a written constitution. The new edition of Halsbury’s Laws documents significant changes in society and technology. From the new legal recognition of civil partnerships to emerging regulations in information technology, Halsbury’s Laws provides an account of today’s legal system. “Until very recently, we simply could not conceive what computers could do. Thirty five years ago there was no way of foreseeing the need for a whole new area of legal thought to cover the countless implications of technology and the Internet,” says Mr Hetherington. “And 40 years ago could you imagine considering whether to sue an opponent for a professional foul or there being a need for a Court of Arbitration in Sport?” Lord Mackay of Clashfern, former Lord Chancellor and Editor-in-Chief of Halsbury’s Laws, adds: “With changes in the law taking place so rapidly it is imperative for the practitioner to have at hand a statement of the law that is up to date and also complete. This is the challenge that Halsbury’s Laws of England has met in the past and will continue to cater for in its Fifth edition.” The first edition of Halsbury’s Lawswas published in 1907, and contained 31 volumes. The second edition published 37 volumes between 1931 and 1942. The third edition published 43 volumes between 1952 and 1964. The fourth edition published 56 volumes between 1973 and 1987, and has grown consistently ever since. Halsburys

 

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