Practical guide to laws

Press, 31 October 1981, Page 17

Practical guide to laws

The law and you: a practical guide for New Zealanders. By Jocelyn Afford, Stephen Kos, and Bill Napier. Reed, 1981. 161 pp. 68.95. (Reviewed by A. J. Curry) “Ignorance of the law excuses no man," said John Selden, .“not that all men know the law, but because ’tis an excuse every man will plead, and no man can tell how to refute him.” The authors of this book are junior lecturers in law at Victoria University in Wellington. They are to be congratulated for producing a useful and practical guide to those laws with which most of us are bound to deal at one time or another. I say “practical” because the authors have not simply stated the law, but have given help and advice as well. The eleven chapter headings indicate the scope of the work: "Who safeguards your . rights?”, “Law enforcement agencies,” “Welfare,” “Contracts,” “Consumer law,” “Money,” “Property,” “Work,”. “Residence in New Zealand,” “The vote,” and “The family.” These chapters are, in turn, broken down into more specific divisions. For example, in the chapter on “Who safeguards your rights?” are explanations of the court

system, tribunals, members of Parliament, the Ombudsman, and the Human Rights Commission and Race Relations Conciliator. Under the broad heading of “Consumer law” are sections on buying goods, quality of the goods, door to door sales, advertising, buying a car, accommodation and many more. At the end of the chapter are lists of useful addresses of organisations dealing with food, housing, furniture, manufactured goods, insurance, hire purchase, advertising, trade practices, motor vehicles, travel and

accommodation, professional services (dentists, lawyers, pharmacists and so on). The whole book is written in simple, easy to understand language. But one word of warning. Even a thorough acquaintance with this book will not make the reader an expert on the law. It is helpful to know what the law says about a particular topic, and where you can go to or write for further help, but if you contemplate legal action, see a solicitor first. The law is a very complex business and although this book gives sound and helpful advice it is, of necessity, couched in general terms. The book’s price will commend it to a wide range of people.