Law of the United States

This book goes back to an Introduction to U.S. Law I published originally in 1975 and 1976 in German and English, respectively, with subsequent translations into Chinese and Spanish. My purpose then was to provide students with an introduction to American law and practitioners with the means, by way of basic references, to research further in fields and with respect to questions of their interest.

The present volume is not a new edition of the earlier work. Rather, it builds on a German-language successor of the above. It appears simultaneously with the second edition of the latter, and the two books track each other.
It uses material presented there and updates and adapts it to the perspective of an English-language readership. The last objective required virtually wholesale substitution of Anglo-American references for those in German or in other languages intended for the Continental reader.

The present volume continues to pursue the two objectives of all my similar prior work: to give students an overview and introduction, and to give members of the profession an initial orientation and a starting point for further independent research. In contrast to prior work, however, this volume places additional emphasis on up-to-date case law and current literature, in order to provide a much more detailed "point of entry" for the researcher, whether practicing attorney or student.

Accordingly, case law and literature have been updated through the end of 2001. There are occasional references to 2002 materials. Despite good intentions, the treatment of some or many areas will strike some as unduly summary. The answer can only be that I tried to achieve a balance between presumed reader interests. No doubt, my own background as a civil (private law) lawyer cannot be denied.

• Introduction, Sources, Nature of US Law, Legal Methodology
• Public Law
• The Judicial System : Courts and Civil Procedure
• Conflict of Laws
• Private Law
• Commercial Law
• Criminal Law and Procedure