1st Edition

Law, Society and Community Socio-Legal Essays in Honour of Roger Cotterrell

By Richard Nobles, David Schiff Copyright 2014
    372 Pages
    by Routledge

    372 Pages
    by Routledge

    This collection of socio-legal studies, written by leading theorists and researchers from around the world, offers original, perceptive and critical contributions to ideas and theories that have been expounded by Roger Cotterrell over a long and distinguished career. Engaging with many classic issues and theories of the sociology of law, the contributions are likely to become classics themselves as they tackle some of the most significant challenges that modern law faces. They do not shy away from what one of the contributors describes as the complexity and multiplicity of our contemporary legal world. The book is organized in three parts: socio-legal themes; methodological and jurisprudential themes; globalization, cultural and comparative law themes. Starting with a chapter that re-engages with the need to interpret legal ideas sociologically, and ending with one that explores the global significance of modern fascination with the idea of the rule of law, this selection offers important additions to the oeuvre of Roger Cotterrell (a list of whose academic writings is included in the book).

    Introduction; I: Socio-Legal Themes; 1: Why Must Legal Ideas Be Interpreted Sociologically? Roger Cotterrell and the Vocation of Sociology of Law; 2: Sociology, History and the ‘Internal' Study of Law; 3: Images of Borders and the Politics and Legality of Identity; 4: Brave New World? The Challenges of Transnational Law and Legal Pluralism to Contemporary Legal Theory; 5: Polity as Constitutional Law's Community; 6: The Politics of The Politics of Jurisprudence; II: Methodological and Jurisprudential Themes; 7: Towards a Fruitful Cooperation between Legal Philosophy, Legal Sociology and Doctrinal Research; 8: Discovering the Econo-Socio-Legal Through a Communal Lens; 9: Culture, Community, Comparison; 10: Law, Community and the 2011 London Riots; 11: ‘No Justice, No Peace!' Conceptualizing Legal Alienation in the Aftermath of the Trayvon Martin Case; 12: Three Concepts of Law and the Lost Art of Legislation; 13: The Sociology of The Politics of Jurisprudence; III: Globalization, Cultural and Comparative Law Themes; 14: The Sociology of International Law; 15: From Legal Pluralism to Global Legal Pluralism; 16: Legal Culture and Legal Transplants; 17: Keeping Civility in its Place; 18: Why Are Americans Originalist?; 19: The Rule of Law After the Short Twentieth Century

    Biography

    Richard Nobles is Professor of Law at Queen Mary, University of London. His research interests are in the areas of System Theory as applied to Law; Criminal Appeals, and Miscarriages of Justice. David Schiff is Professor of Law at Queen Mary, University of London. His research interests are in the fields of criminal appeals and miscarriages of justice, and the application of autopoietic systems theory that involves the legal system's relationship to other subsystems of communication. Professors Nobles and Schiff have published widely on their respective areas of interest both independently and as co-authors.

    'In this wide-ranging collection, a distinguished group of socio-legal scholars address the main themes which have characterised Roger Cotterrell's work - notably his analysis of the relationship between legal and sociological approaches, and between sociological jurisprudence and empirical studies of law. The book is, in every way, a fitting tribute to Cotterrell's outstanding contribution to legal and social theory.' Nicola Lacey, London School of Economics, UK ’Roger Cotterrell is the pre-eminent proponent of the sociology of law in the United Kingdom and beyond. This volume is both a fitting tribute to a distinguished and much-loved scholar and a substantial contribution to the field.’ William Twining, University College London, UK ’This collection goes beyond a celebration of Roger Cotterrell’s work. It both engages with it and explores its range and depth.’ Alan Hunt, Carleton University, Canada ’How do we measure an academic career? By the work written, students encouraged, colleagues supported, the contribution to an institution. Roger Cotterrell has more than acquitted himself against these criteria. This Festschrift is evidence of the esteem in which he is held, and the themes his quietly tenacious scholarship has explored. Law and sociology, legality, the effects of globalisation, community and culture, the relationship between legal sociology and philosophy, the impact of legal pluralism: all are reflected on here. The twenty or so contributors bear witness to the breadth and influence of Roger Cotterrell's work. They reflect the very high regard in which he is held, both for his scholarship and for the personal qualities he has brought to the legal academy over forty years.’ Alan Norrie, University of Warwick, UK