The small claims procedure is seen as a way of tackling the crisis in civil justice. This book reports on the research on small claims procedures. It also includes discussion of interviews with litigants, including many who struggled to gain payment of court judgements. This book is part of the "Socio-Legal Studies" series.

One: Introduction and Background: The Development of Small Claims in England and Wales ; Two: Background to the Study: The County Court Files ; Three: The District Judge's Role at Small Claims Hearings ; Four: Litigants' Perceptions of Small Claims ; Five: The Enforcement of Small Claims Judgments ; Six: Conclusion ; Bibliography ; Index

John Baldwin's study ... is a timely one ... This is a thoughtful and insightful study of the small-claims procedure in England and Wales which questions many assumptions about the process ... There is much for the policy maker and theorist to reflect on in this small volume. It should surely make both groups think hard about the instrumental and symbolic role of courts and what the idea of access to justice might mean for different groups within the community. It will also provide a platform for the future development of both ethnographic and empirical analysis of the role of the courts and tribunals in providing for the ordinary individual. For all these reasons it is an excellent addition to the Oxford socio-legal series.

`John Baldwin's study ... is a timely one ... This is a thoughtful and insightful study of the small-claims procedure in England and Wales which questions many assumptions about the process ... There is much for the policy maker and theorist to reflect on in this small volume. It should surely make both groups think hard about the instrumental and symbolic role of courts and what the idea of access to justice might mean for different groups within the community. It will also provide a platform for the future development of both ethnographic and empirical analysis of the role of the courts and tribunals in providing for the ordinary individual. For all these reasons it is an excellent addition to the Oxford socio-legal series.' Iain Ramsey, Journal of Law and Society, vol 25 1998 splendid study/ Philip Evans, Secretary of the Certified Bailiffs Assoc, writing in the letters page of Credit Today, May 1999. `Anybody reading this book would find it both a thorough and indeed enjoyable and entertaining account of small claims practice... an interesting and provocative book. It remains of interest despite jurisdictional and procedural changes.' Craig Osborne, Criminal Justice Quarterly `It's a countrywide problem, according to Professor John Baldwin, head of the school of law at Birmingham University, and author of Small Claims in the County Courts in England and Wales - The Bargain Basement of British Justice.' Christopher Middleton, The Guardian

John Baldwin is Professor of Law and Director of the Institute of Judicial Administration at the University of Birmingham. Prior to this he taught at the universities of Sheffield, Newcastle and Birmingham where he has been a lecturer, reader and now Professor.