This comparative analysis of civil procedure concentrates on the purposes served by the institution of legislation rather than the intentions of those who litigate. Stressing that those purposes go far beyond mere nonviolent dispute resolution, Jolowicz conducts a comparative examination of procedural law in an attempt to explain the ideas that underlie its constituent elements. He also deals with the reform of English law and the consequences that the new Civil Procedure Rules will have on the character of English procedural law.

The year 1978 marked the thirtieth anniversary of Professor C. J. Ham son's 'Summer course for foreign lawyers' and of his untiring efforts not only to introduce the civil lawyer to the mysteries of the Common law but also to bring closer together lawyers from both sides of the Channel. The same year saw the beginning of the 'Cambridge-Tilburg Law Lectures' wh ich developed indirectIy from the 'Summer course' and which seek to achieve similar aims by different methods. The idea of inviting two Cambridge scholars to assist their Dutch col leagues in the teaching of the Common law as a regular...