Book Review: Law in the Making

Abstract

This book contains seven chapters discussing the following as possible source of law: the Sovereign, Custom, Precedent, Equality, and Legislation. It deals with one of the most interesting subjects in life; and it is written in an attractive style. It reviews the ideas of former jurists well and criticises them with intelligence. It excites the reader to independent thought on each matter considered and tempts him to write a book of his own in order to do better if he can. This is high praise; and it should be remembered as this review proceeds, inasmuch as the reviewer is forced to fill most of his permitted space with a discussion of differences of option. The chief weaknesses of the book -- which appear to the reviewer to be fundamental and far-reaching -- are a weakness in analysis and definition and an inconsistency in stating the part played by the courts in the making of law.