Civil Litigation 2018-2019 (Legal Practice Course Manuals)

Civil Litigation introduces students to the processes and procedures involved in making and defending civil litigation claims. The text is ideal for students taking the Legal Practice Course or relevant LLB or LLM modules and features case studies on both a personal injury matter and a commercial matter, making it suitable for students with either a high street or a commercial focus.

Following the chronological progression of a civil litigation claim, the book offers practical guidance on advising clients whilst ensuring that the latest principles of the SRA Handbook and Code of Conduct are maintained. Students on CILEx courses, new trainees in practice, and paralegals will find this practical guidance of use in both their study and their work.

Innovative diagrams at the beginning of chapters clearly illustrate the litigation procedure and help students understand the nature of the process as a whole. Examples provide students with a realistic context for their learning, while issues of cost, best practice, and professional conduct are clearly highlighted. Alternative dispute resolution is given appropriate practical emphasis, and references to the Civil Procedure Rules throughout make sure that students are ready for life in practice.

Online resources:
- Case study documentation to support the fictional scenarios referred to in the book
- Additional chapters covering injunctions, a practical guide to court hearings, instructions to counsel and enforcements of judgment
- Annotated forms
- Appendix - links to key Court forms
- Litigation train timeline to help students put the litigation process in context
- Podcasts
- Updates
- Weblinks
- Additional case study materials for lecturers, including suggested answers to case study questions
- Video clips
- Test bank of over 50 multiple choice questions

Susan Cunningham-Hill, Formerly Senior Lecturer in Law, Staffordshire University, Karen Elder, Solicitor and Partner, Beswicks Legal, former Senior Lecturer in Law, Staffordshire University

Susan Cunningham-Hill practised as a solicitor for more than 20 years, predominantly in commercial and personal injury litigation, and worked concurrently as an academic teaching on the LPC. She has been extensively involved in the delivery of litigation courses and in writing and preparing transactional and skills based assessment regimes.


Karen Elder is a practising solicitor at Beswicks Legal, an accredited commercial mediator, and formerly a Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University. She has extensive experience teaching civil litigation to LPC students and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has been practising as a solicitor for 15 years acting for both claimants and defendants in commercial construction and personal injury matters.