`Geldart' has over the years established itself as a standard account of English law, expounding the body of the modern law as set in its historical context. Regularly updated since its first publication, it remains indispensable to student and layman alike as a concise, reliable guide.

Since publication of the tenth edition in 1991 there have been considerable developments in English law. Sir David Yardley has taken these developments into account, and substantially rewritten several parts of the book. Particular issues of the past four years include the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, alterations to the law of manslaughter, and the new twists in laws concerning children, intellectual property, and contract and leasehold reforms.