"Equity Today" Book Launched at Inner Temple
On Monday December 11th, practitioners, judges and academics met at the Inner Temple Lecture Theatre for the launch of 'Equity Today: 150 Years After the Judicature Reforms', published by Hart and edited by Prof Ben McFarlane and Steven Elliott KC. A discussion was chaired by Dame Prof Sarah Worthington KC (Hon) and featured speeches by three of the contributors to the book: Ben McFarlane, Lord Briggs of Westbourne, and John McGhee KC. The event was organised by the book editors in conjunction with the Chancery Bar Association and was supported by the Oxford University Higher Studies Fund.
The book results from the successful 'Equity Today' conference held at St John's College, Oxford in April 2022 and its publication coincides with the 150th anniversary of the Judicature Act 1873. Its twenty chapters include contributions from judges, academics, and practitioners and the speakers at the launch each discussed the role of equity from one such perspective.
Ben McFarlane also introduced the book and explained the significance of its cover, which shows the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers in Lyon and features the futuristic architecture of the Musée des Confluences. Lord Briggs discussed the role of equitable principles in recent decisions of the Supreme Court, including Wolverhampton CC and others v London Gypsies and Travellers and others. John McGhee KC, who along with Steven Elliott KC edits Snell's Equity, examined the relationship between equity and common law and the need for coherence between the two bodies of law. This theme was also developed by Prof Dame Sarah Worthington in her closing comments and featured not only in the lively Q&A session but also in the drinks reception which followed.
The book includes chapters by Law Faculty members Ben McFarlane (based on his 2022 inaugural lecture), Aruna Nair, Simon Douglas, and William Swadling, as well as by Law Faculty alumni such as Justice Edelman, Jessica Hudson, Chee Ho Tham, Lionel Smith, Man Yip and Simone Degeling. A full list of chapters, together with the chance to order with a discount, is available online and the book is an ideal gift for the equity lawyer in your life.
