The Nature and Functions of Law

The distinguishing feature of this book is its focus on the special character of law in performing certain social functions. Presented are the salient aspects of criminal and civil procedure, alternative dispute resolution, aspects of judicial reasoning on the basis of precedents, especially in cases of manufacturer's liability in tort, certain aspects of the law of contracts, and aspects of international human rights law, including race law, and gender law, both at the national and international level-not in order to present a composite picture of the whole legal system but in order to test the success of the legal system in carrying out its basic purposes.As in previous editions, it includes relevant materials on comparative and international law. In this edition the international and comparative aspect of the law has been given a special and extended emphasis. Indeed, the most significant revisions and additions to the text are meant to highlight and reflect, primarily, th