BOOKS: Elgar on Comparative and International Criminal Law

Edward Elgar Publishing has announced the publication of:

Mike McConville and Eva Pils (eds), Comparative Perspectives On Criminal Justice In China

Comparative Perspectives on Criminal Justice in China is an anthology of chapters on the contemporary criminal justice system in mainland China, bringing together the work of recognised scholars from China and around the world.

The book addresses issues at various stages of the criminal justice process (investigation and prosecution of crime and criminal trial) as well as problems pertaining to criminal defence and to parallel systems of punishment. All of the contributions discuss the criminal justice system in the context of China’s legal reforms. Several of the contributions urge the conclusion that the criminal process and related processes remain marred by overwhelming powers of the police and Party-State, and a chapter discussing China’s 2012 revision of its Criminal Procedure Law argues that the revision is unlikely to bring significant improvement.

This diverse comparative study will appeal to academics in Chinese law, society and politics, members of the human rights NGO and diplomatic communities as well as legal professionals interested in China.

Linda Carter and Fausto Pocar (eds), International Criminal Procedure: The Interface of Civil Law and Common Law Legal Systems

The emergence of international criminal courts, beginning with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and including the International Criminal Court, has also brought an evolving international criminal procedure. In this book, the authors examine selected issues that reflect a blending of, or choice between, civil law and common law models of procedure. The topics include background on civil law and common law legal systems; plea bargaining; witness proofing; written and oral evidence; self-representation and the use of assigned, standby, and amicus counsel; the role of victims; and the right to appeal.

International Criminal Procedure will appeal to academics, students, researchers, lawyers and judges working in the field of international criminal law.