In praise of litigation / Alexandra Lahav.

New York : Oxford University Press, [2017]

1 online resource (xiv, 214 pages)

Does litigation provide any social benefits at all? Certainly, it is expensive, stressful and time consuming, but Alexandra Lahav contends that the critics have blinded us to its many benefits. In Praise of Litigation explains what society gains from litigation and why it is ultimately a social good. Our ability to go to court is a sign of our strength as a society and enables us to both participate in and reinforce the rule of law. Joining lawsuits also gives citizens direct access to governmental officials - judges - who can hear their arguments about issues central to our democracy, such as the extent of police power and the ability of all people to vote. Litigation also promotes equality before the law, transparency, and accountability. And it is at least arguable that lawsuits have helped spur major social changes in arenas like race relations and marriage rights, as well as made products safer and forced wrongdoers to answer for their conduct. In her defense of the system, Lahav does not ignore the many costs that litigation imposes, and proposes a number of sensible reforms that improve the value of litigation. Many of the proposals that have been adopted and are currently on the table are spurious because they solve problems that do not exist or just make it harder for citizens to defend their rights and to enforce the law -- Provided by publisher.

Print version: Lahav, Alexandra D. In praise of litigation. New York : Oxford University Press, 2017

English

August 28, 2020

Includes bibliographical references and index.

In Praise of Litigation; Copyright; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgments; Introduction: A Force for Democracy; 1 Enforcing the Law; 2 The Power of Information; 3 Participation in Self-Government; 4 Equality Before the Law; Epilogue; Notes; Index.

Electronic books.