Customer Reviews
Why I recommend this book!!! - By: T. Sumanthiran, 10 Aug 2008 
I bought this 12th edition as an update to the previous edition. In going through the 11th edition I found that it was great to work from as it was not only clear & precise but also easy to read! I feel that the 11th edition has been updated to an exceptional standard in this latest book, with new material on the corporate manslaughter offence, hundreds of new cases & most importantly a chapter on the new Fraud Act (an area for which he is renowned following on from his other books on that subject).
I must admit I don't tend to write reviews of books, but this reallly had to be the exception as I couldn't bypass an opportunity to tell others just what standard David Ormerod has reached in this book!
making criminal law logical - By: R. Armstrong, 20 Sep 2007 I provided my undergraduate law students with references to three established texts on each topic in Criminal Law & the vast majority told me that Smith & Hogan on Criminal Law by David Ormerod was their preferred text.
It clearly presents what the law is, where it has come from, how leading legal minds criticise it & therefore how it might be better developed in the future. The book guides the reader logicallly through the elements of offences & defences, alllowing the novice to navigate its content with ease while developing a critical mindset.
What places it ahead of other comparable texts is that this logical construction does not signify a sacrific in depth of content. The book is renowned as the authority on criminal law for practitioners & students alike, & rightly retains this status through continuing to provide a solid basis in criminal law for the new student & a reliable & easily navigated reference base for the post grad or seasoned practitioner.
Average - By: Sarah, 12 Apr 2007 
Compared to Herring's text book on Criminal Law this isn't that good, I'm in my second year & compared to the afore mentioned I've barely used it. Some good criminal law texts for taking to class (much smalller books) are key cases, key facts & law express.
Indispensable - By: Jason Miller, 27 Nov 2006 This is without doubt THE textbook to own for anyone interested in Criminal Law or studying as part of their LLB. For a complex subject such as Criminal Law, the authors have produced what can only be described as a fascinating read which simplifies alll the major & relevant issues. Indispensable & higly recommended!!!!
