1 Resources at your finger tips: a guide to legal sources, databases and organisations
Introduction
Library staff in universities often advise academic staff that students under-use the range of print, media and electronic sources available to support their studies. Academics also try to encourage students to increase their engagement in the recommended reading for their modules. In the area of law applied to sport, physical education and recreation, there are a range of academic disciplines or fields of study which can make a contribution â such a sociology, psychology, management theory, policy, philosophy, social work, sport science, leadership and coaching theory. The print, media and electronic sources which can support this area of study are very wide-ranging and might not be pigeon-holed in one subject or location. Sources do not have to be titled law, sport and physical education or physical recreation to be relevant to those areas of study.
This chapter is designed as a basic introduction to a range of print, electronic and media sources and databases. It can be used to:
- prepare you for the rest of the text â with exercises relevant to subsequent chapters
- orientate yourself with legal system terminology
- support distance learning in advance of, or part of, a course or module
- support directed learning within a module
- orientate you to legal databases and other sources as part of a specific library induction at course or module level1
- build up your confidence and skills in the searching and use of print, media and electronic legal sources
- encourage you to find out about applied law by locating the people who work and teach in this very exciting and relevant subject
- encourage students, partners and practitioners to contribute ideas for resources which can be used for future modules
- identify sources and websites or locations which might be used in or as a link to Web CT or X-stream or other technology-enhanced learning.
This chapter is divided into three parts. Part one introduces criminal and civil law and the court systems and terminology. It introduces you to searching for legal cases and statutes, using such systems as Lawtel or Westlaw UK. It also covers the use of legal journals, and highlights some useful law study books and revision texts, which can help you to dip into clear summaries of topics where they need a concise summary of a more generic area of law. Part two lists some examples of sport, recreation, physical activity and the law, texts and journals in legal and other disciplines. Part three introduces you to some useful websites and other sources on organisations, people and the media. It will make the very pertinent point that one of the most important, valuable and relevant sources is you, your experiences, observations, reflections and the chain of thought and possible application to sport and physical education, which come into your mind as you read and discuss aspects of law with your peers and lecturers.
Part one: making sense of court systems, legal databases and law texts
Understanding court systems in criminal and civil law
âDefinitions of crime and criminal law differ according to economic and ideological circumstances and may be influenced by prejudices and stereotypesâ (Fitzgerald et al., 1981; Edwards, 19842). An obvious and minimalist definition of a crime is that which is âprohibited by the criminal codeâ or âwhat the law says it isâ (Fattah, 1997: 30). A crime can partly be understood by the nature of the threat and who should deal with it. Criminal liability is imposed on âconduct felt to be against the general interests of societyâ as we cannot have people attacking or killing other citizens, stealing their car, trespassing on or breaking into someoneâs property and stealing their belongings (Elliot and Quinn, 2006: 1). Criminal conduct is âsuch a serious danger to society that, in the public interest, the state must bear the full responsibility and costs of providing a deterrent and following through all stages of implementationâ (Hartley, 2001b: 30). Crimes, usually categorised as offences against the person, property or the state, are not considered private matters which can be settled between parties (see Drewry 1975; Jefferson, 1992).
The Crown Prosecution Service, provided with relevant evidence by the police, can recommend whether or not to proceed with criminal charges and usually bases such decisions on three prosecutorial principles. It should be in the public interest to proceed with the prosecution. In addition, there should be sufficient corroborated evidence and a realistic chance of a conviction. Once a crown case proceeds, the alleged victims and defendants cannot change their minds and withdraw the charges or stop the proceedings. A crime has three elements. The mens rea is latin for âguilty mindâ and refers to the mental element, or state of mind of the person committing the crime, such as intention or recklessness (Elliott and Quinn, 2006). The actus reus requires proof that the defendantâs conduct caused the harmful result, related to the circumstances and consequences. Finally, there is no lawful justification, defence or excuse (such as consent, provocation or diminished responsibility, depending on the offence).
In criminal cases the prosecution must prove their case, in both the mens rea and actus reus so that the magistrate or a jury are satisfied âbeyond reasonable doubtâ of their existence (Elliott and Quinn, 2006: 93). The punishment by the state can be a range of things from imprisonment, fines or community service, depending on the offence and sentencing policy and guidelines at the time. A selection of illustrative crimes in sport and recreation contexts will be covered in Chapters 4, 6 and 7 of this text. A range of crimes of assault arising from the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 will be covered in Chapter 4. Breaches of statutory duties in health and safety (criminal offences) are applied to sport, physical education and leisure contexts in Chapter 6. Manslaughter by individuals and corporations in sport, education and leisure contexts is the main focus of Chapter 7. The terminology in criminal cases is different from civil law cases. For example:
R v Kite, R v Stoddart, R v OLL Ltd (unreported, 9 December 1994, Winchester Crown Court, Ognall J)
R stands for âReginaâ â the Queen [the embodiment of the State] v (versus) the named defendant. Sometimes the report of the case will just name one of the parties, for example R v Kite or R v Kite and others. This is then followed by the date the case was decided, the court where it was heard and the name of the judge; for example, Ognall J or Mr J (Justice) Ognall. The criminal cases covered in this text are usually heard in a court of the first instance â one of the crown courts divided into six âcircuitâ courts, heard by circuit judges or recorders (part-timers). The Queenâs Bench Division (QBD) of the High Court can hear appeals from a magistratesâ court. The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) has 37 Lord Justices of Appeal (LJJ) and cases are usually heard on matters of fact, law and sentence, by one Lord Justice (LJ) and two High Court judges, although five judges hear very important appeals (Darbyshire, 2007: 34). The Civil Division of the Court of Appeal hears appeals from the Chancery, Queenâs Bench and Family Division, county courts across England and Wales, as well as appeals from certain Tribunals (HM Courts Service see http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/).The highest court in domestic criminal law is the House of Lords Appellate Court where there are 12 Lords of Appeal. These âLaw Lordsâ...