Law in Everyday Life

Do you know your rights as a householder? Do you know the difference between a lawyer and a barrister? Did you know that a child of sixteen can legally drive a tractor?

This is a guidebook of practical advice and useful tips on understanding the complex legal jargon encountered in day-to-day life. It's part of a series of short beginners' guides on communication skills. The emphasis is on compact, no-nonsense advice directly related to issues of everyday issues. This one deals with legal jargon, understanding the legal situations that affect you and your family, and it helps you to become aware of your rights and liabilities.


John Seely starts out with simple explanations of basic legal concepts such as trespass, nuisance, liability, contracts, and breach of contract. Then there are simple explanations of the legal system as it is embodied in European courts, Crown courts, and magistrates courts. He explains briefly how these work, and spells out the difference between barristers, solicitors, magistrates and judges.

The points at which the law is likely to affect your everyday life include marriage (and for one out of three of us, divorce), housing, benefits, children, adoption, banking, pensions, wills and death. In other words it affects us all potentially, from the cradle to the grave.

There's a full chapter on housing, which brings most people into contact with the legal system and its complex system of processes and documentation. I speak with feeling as someone who has more than once done his own house conveyancing.

Next come the worlds of the workplace - redundancy, dismissals, tribunals, health and safety. Then driving and what happens if you are unfortunate enough to have an accident.

The first part of the book then ends with the bigger issues of human rights and your relationship with the state, the police, and your rights to freedom from oppression.

The second part of the book is a huge glossary of legal terms with explanations. This is cross-referenced to the earlier chapters, and there is a list of organisations and their contact details - including web sites.

I imagine this will be of use to anyone who wants to make a start on understanding legal issues, and any groups or organisations who need legal guidance without having to pay for professional advice.