Mark Pawlowski

Is equity past the age of childbearing

This article asks whether equity still has a creative role to play in the development of new doctrines and principles. It looks briefly at the contribution made by Lord Denning in this context and examines other judicial exponents of a more creative approach to the application of equitable principles. The article also considers current judicial attitudes to creativity and what future role equity may play in the development of existing doctrines, notably, proprietary estoppel and the constructive trust in the context of the family home. The conclusion drawn is that equity is not past the age of childbearing, but more radical creativity is unlikely to happen in the absence of statutory intervention.

Film and literature in the legal classroom

The way in which law and lawyers are portrayed in popular film and literature is a fascinating subject not only for the social scientist but, more importantly, the lawyer and law student. Increasingly in law schools, films and classic literature with a legal theme are being used to identify various aspects of legal activity ranging from legal practice (i.e. intrinsic lawyer skills including legal argument, negotiation and advocacy) to various aspects of the legal process (e.g. the function of the judge and jury) as well as important elements of legal and ethical theory. This article focuses on the Law Through Film and Literature option which is offered to law students in the final year of their LLB (Hons) degree at Greenwich. The aim is to show how law-related film and literature can be a useful tool in the legal classroom, as well as providing some insights into how students have responded and developed as a result of their experiences on the course.

The Forfeiture of Possessory Rights in Land and Chattels

The article argues that the concept of forteiture may be applied to a variety of legal transactions in which the transfer of a possessory right takes place between the parties. In particular, it is contended that an equitable possessory right which is capable of enforcement by means of an order for specific performance falls within equitys jurisdiction to grant relief.