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The following list of books has been prepared by the NSPCC Library and Information Service (November 2000) to help people looking for the history of child law in England and Wales between the founding of the NSPCC in 1884 and the passing of the 1989 Children Act. It includes only the texts of child laws and guides to child law. It excludes reports and other books that were published in connection with proposals to reform child law. It is arranged in chronological order.
Prevention of cruelty to children: a manual prepared for the London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Colam, Robert Frederick
London: London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 1885
Note:the London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children became the NSPCC in 1889.
Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act 1889
United Kingdom Parliament
[London: Eyre and Spottiswode], 1889
The Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act 1894, with introduction, notes, forms and index
Lewis, Gerald Champion and Barrows, Harold Murdock
London: Shaw, 1894
The law relating to children: a short treatise on the personal status of children, and the statutes that have been enacted for their protection
Clarke Hall, William
London: Stevens, 1894
The Queen's reign for children
Clarke Hall, William
London: Unwin, 1897
Note: includes a list of child law passed during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
The statutes used in the work of the Society
Griffithes, T.P.
London: NSPCC, 1902
The law relating to children: a short treatise on the personal status of children, including the complete text of "the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act 1904" and all of the statutes relating to the protection of children. 2nd edition
Clarke Hall, William
London: Stevens, 1905
Children Act 1908
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1908
The Children Act 1908: a handbook for justices and others
Maude, William Cassell
London: Poor-Law, 1909
Law relating to children. 3rd edition
Clarke Hall, William and Pretty, Arnold H.F.
London: Stevens, 1909
The law relating to child-saving and reformatory efforts; being abstracts from acts of Parliament and other information. 4th edition
Maddison, Arthur J. S.
London: Reformatory and Refuge Union, 1909
Some important points concerning legislation
Parr, Robert John
London: NSPCC, 1912
Child labour in the United Kingdom: a study of the development and administration of the law relating to the employment of children
Keeling, Frederick
London: P. S. King & Son, 1914
Note: prepared on behalf of the British section of the International Association for Labour Legislation.
Points of law concerning children with explanatory notes
Parr, Robert John editor
London: NSPCC, 1915
A manual of vigilance law
Bewes, Wyndham A.
London: National Vigilance Association and International Bureau for the suppression of traffic in women and children, 1923
Children and young persons acts, 1908 to 1932
Raphael, Geoffrey G., Rosser, Enid and Fordham, Wilfrid
London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1932
Children and Young Persons Act 1933
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1933
The law of child protection
Bowerman, E.E.
London: Pitman, 1933
Statutory rules and order 1933 no.787. Children and young persons boarding out
United Kingdom Parliament
London: Home Office, 1933
Clarke Hall and Morrison's law relating to children and young persons: including the law of adoption. 3d edition
Morrison, A. C. L. and Banwell, L.G.
London: Butterworth, 1947
Children Act 1948
Home Office
London: Home Office, 1948
Eversley's law of domestic relations: husband and wife, parent and child, guardian and ward, infants, master and servant. 6th edition
Stranger-Jones, L.I. editor
London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1951
The law on sexual offences: a practical handbook for the clergy and social workers
Church of England Moral Welfare Council
London: Church Information Board for the Church of England Moral Welfare Council, 1956
Children and Young Persons Act 1956
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1956
Sexual Offences Act 1956
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1956
The child and the court
Cavenagh, Winifred E.
London: Gollancz, 1959
Children and the law
Giles, F.T.
[Harmondsworth, Middlesex]: Penguin Books, [1959]
Indecency with Children Act 1960
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1960
Clarke Hall and Morrison's law relating to children and young persons. 6th edition
Morrison, A.C.L. and Banwell, L.G.
London: Butterworth, 1960
Child law
James, Thomas Egbert
London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1962
Children and Young Persons Act 1963
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1963
Source book of family law
Webb, P. R. H.
London: Butterworths, 1964
The rights of children and young persons
Berger, Nan
London: Cobden Trust, 1967
Clarke Hall and Morrison's Law relating to children and young persons. 7th edition and Supplement
Banwell, L.G. and Nicol, J.R.
London: Butterworths, 1967-70
Family law: Arrangements for the care and upbringing of children (Matrimonial Causes Act, 1965, s.33)
The Law Commission
London: Law Commission, 1968
Note: Law Commission Working Paper number 15.
The law on performances by children: a guide to the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968 and related statutory provisions
Home office
London: HMSO, 1968
ISBN: 0113400241
Children and Young Persons Act 1969
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1969
ISBN 0105454699
Child legislation 1969, including the Representation of the People Act 1969, Family Law Reform Act 1969, Children and Young Persons Act 1969, Tattooing of Minors Act 1969
Holden, D A. and Butterworths Legal Editorial Staff
London: Butterworths, 1970
ISBN: 0406233519
Part I of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969: a guide for courts and practitioners
Home Office
London: HMSO, 1970
Clarke Hall and Morrison's Law relating to children and young persons. Second cumulative supplement to seventh edition
Banwell, L.G. and Goodman, L.
London: Butterworths, 1970
ISBN: 0406158037
Notes on juvenile court law: a summary of the principal statutes and statutory instruments dealing with children and young persons appearing before the juvenile courts together with some provisions relating to adoption. 8th edition
Goodman, Leo
Chichester: Barry Rose Publishers, 1971
ISBN: 0900500387
Child care manual for social workers. 2nd edition
Leeding, A. E.
London: Butterworths, 1971
ISBN: 0406270015
Clarke Hall and Morrison's law relating to children and young persons. 8th edition
Goodman, L.
London: Butterworth, 1972
ISBN: 0406158053
The law relating to children
Bevan, H. K.
London: Butterworths, 1973
ISBN: 0406117004
Notes on juvenile court law: a summary of the principal statutes and statutory instruments dealing with children and young persons appearing before juvenile courts together with some provisions relating to adoption. 9th edition
Goodman, Leo
Chichester: Rose, 1973
ISBN: 0900500891
The guardian ad litem and adoption: an outline and brief discussion of the duties of the guardian-curator ad litem
Association of British Adoption Agencies
London: Association of British Adoption Agencies, [1973]
ISBN: 0903534134
Maintenance and custody orders in the magistrates' courts and consents to marriage. 2nd edition
Harris, Brian
Chichester: Rose, 1974
ISBN: 0900500999
Children Act 1975: Elizabeth II. 1975. Chapter 72
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, [1975]
ISBN: 0105472751
Children Act 1975
Bevan, H. K. and Martin, L.
London: Butterworth, 1978
ISBN: 0406547432
Notes: Butterworths annotated legislation service series. Statutes supplements, volume 253. Includes the text of the Act.
A guide to the Children Act 1975
Mumford, Gilbert H. F.
London: Shaw and Sons, 1976
ISBN: 0721906613
The Children Act 1975
Freeman, M.D.A
London: Sweet and Maxwell, 1976
ISBN: 0421217901
Note: text, with concise commentary.
A guide to the Children Act 1975
Mumford, Gilbert H.F. and Selwood, T.J.
London: Shaw and Sons, 1976
ISBN: 0721906605
A guide to the Children Act, 1975
Mumford, Gilbert H. F.
London: Shaw and Sons, 1977
ISBN: 0721906621
Adoption Act 1976: Elizabeth II. 1976. Chapter 36
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1976
ISBN: 0105436763
Child care manual for social workers. 3rd edition
Leeding, A. E.
London: Butterworth, 1976
ISBN: 0406270023
Clarke Hall and Morrison: law relating to children and young persons. 9th edition
Booth, Margaret and Harris, Brian editors
London: Butterworth, 1977
ISBN: 040615807X
Under 18: a guide to the law as it affects young people
National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
Leicester: National Youth Bureau, [1977]
ISBN: 0902095676
Children Act 1975
Bevan, H. K. and Parry, Martin L.
London: Butterworth, 1978
ISBN: 0406547432
Note: Butterworths annotated legislation service. Statutes supplements, volume 253.
The child and the courts
Baxter, Ian F.G. and Eberts, Mary A.
Toronto: Carswell; London: Sweet and Maxwell, 1978
ISBN: 0459319906
The guardian ad litem and adoption
Leeding, Alfred Ellis
London: Association of British Adoption and Fostering Agencies, 1978
Note: ABAFA series, number 1.
Notes on juvenile court law: a summary of the principal statutes and statutory instruments dealing with children and young persons appearing before the juvenile courts together with some provisions relating to adoption. 10th edition
Austin, Patricia Mary
Chichester: Rose, 1978
ISBN: 0859921263
Children and Young Persons Act 1969: some implications for practice
British Association of Social Workers
Birmingham: British Association of Social Workers, 1978
ISBN: 0900102209
Note: a BASW working party report.
Child abuse: procedure and evidence in juvenile courts
Hall, Jean Graham and Mitchell, Barbara H.
Chichester: Rose, 1978
ISBN: 0859921352
Care proceedings
Feldman, Linda
London: Oyez Publishing, 1978
ISBN: 0851203442
The guardian ad litem and adoption: an outline and brief discussion of the duties of the guardian-curator ad litem. 2nd edition
Leeding, Alfred
London: Association of British Adoption and Fostering Agencies, 1978
Child abuse, a reader and sourcebook
Lee, Constance M. editor
Milton Keynes: Open University Press, 1978
ISBN: 0335002307
First rights: a guide to legal rights for young people
Rae, Maggie, and Hewith, Patricia and Hugill, Barry
London: National Council for Civil Liberties, 1979
ISBN: 0901108766
A guide to the Children Act 1975 (as amended). 2nd edition
Terry, Jennifer
London: Sweet and Maxwell, 1979
ISBN: 0421250003
Family law, illegitimacy
Law Commission
London: HMSO, 1979
ISBN: 0117301531
Note: Law Commission Series: Working paper number 74.
Digest of the law relating to juveniles and the courts
Moore, J. W.
London: The Peel Press, [1979]
ISBN: 085164984X
Child Care Act 1980
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1980
ISBN 0105405809
Foster children Act 1980
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1980
ISBN 0105406805
Custody, access, guardianship and wardship
Chiswell, P. G.
[Guildford]: College of Law, 1980
Adoption of children. 9th edition
Josling, John Francis
London: Oyez, 1980
ISBN: 0851205410
Note: Oyez practice notes number 3.
The Child Care and Foster Children Acts 1980
Freeman, M.D.A
London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1980
Note: texts with annotations.
Child care legislation: a guide for social workers
Leeding, A. E.
[London]: Heinemann Educational, [1980]
ISBN: 0617002290
Child care manual for social workers. 4th edition
Leeding, A. E.
London: Butterworth, 1980
ISBN: 0406270031
A guide to care proceedings
Family Rights Group
London: Family Rights Group, [1980]
The Child Care and Foster Children Acts 1980
Freeman, Michael David Alan
London: Sweet and Maxwell, 1980
ISBN: 0421276908
Child care law: a summary of the law in England and Wales. 3rd edition
Rawstrom, Diana
[London]: British Agencies for Adoption & Fostering, 1981
ISBN: 0903534304
The law relating to social security and child benefit
Department of Health and Social Security
London: HMSO, 1981-1988
Childrens Homes Act 1982
United Kingdom Parliament
London: HMSO, 1982
Guide to adoption work
Gloucestershire, Social Services Department, County Council Family Services Section
Gloucester: Gloucestershire County Council, Social Services Department, Family Services Section, 1982
ISBN: 0904950514
Adoption '82: the Association of Directors of Social Services guide to personal social services legislation
Holden, Alan S. editor
Durham: Comyn, 1982
ISBN: 0907267025
Law of child care
Slomnicka, B. I.
Plymouth: MacDonald and Evans, 1982
ISBN: 0712112529
Care proceedings: a practical guide for social workers, health visitors and others
Dingwall, Robert and Eekelaar, John
Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1982
ISBN: 0631127577
Custody and access
Levy, Allan
London: Oyez Longman, 1983
ISBN: 0851207480
Child care law
Ball, Caroline
Norwich: University of East Anglia, 1983
ISBN: 0946751013
Note: Social work law file, part 1.
Care proceedings. 2nd edition
Feldman, Linda
London: Oyez Longman, 1984
ISBN: 0851207235
Child care law. 2nd edition
Ball, Caroline
Norwich: Social Work Monographs, University of East Anglia, 1984
ISBN: 0946751013
Note: University of East Anglia. Social work monographs. Social work law file, number 1.
Family and child law statutes
Oyez Longman
London: Oyez Longman, [1984]
ISBN: 0851208894
The law says: a handbook of law for social workers. 3rd edition
Tunnicliffe, Harry
Birmingham: PEPAR, 1985
ISBN: 0948680016
Affiliation law and practice. 5th edition
Drake, Michael John
London: Longman, 1985
ISBN: 0851209912
Note: I.e. law of domestic relationships. Longman professional practice notes, number 41.
Children in care: the Association of Directors of Social Services guide to personal social services legislation. 2nd edition
Holden, Alan S.
[Leamington Spa]: Comyn, 1985
ISBN: 0907267033
Children, parents and the law
Consumers' Association
London: Consumers' Association/Hodder & Stoughton, [1985]
ISBN: 0340372567
The law of special educational needs: a guide to the Education Act 1981
Cox, Bryan
London: Croom Helm, [1985]
ISBN: 070993498X
Wardship: the law and practice
Pearce, Nasreen
London: Fourmat, 1986
ISBN: 090684097X
Children and the law: young people and their rights
Rae, Maggie
Harlow: Longman, 1986
ISBN: 0582893348
Note: a Longman self help guide
The law and practice of custodianship
Freeman, M. D. A.
London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1986
ISBN: 042135500X
Child care law: a summary of the law in England and Wales. 2nd edition
Rawstron, Diana and Cullen, Deborah
London: British Agencies for Adoption & Fostering, [1986]
ISBN: 0903534649
Note: British Agencies for Adoption & Fostering Practice Series, number 3.
Family and child law statutes. 2nd edition
Paul H. Niekirk
London: Longman, 1987
ISBN: 0851213480
Note: compiled for the Central Office of Information.
Wards of court
JUSTICE
London: JUSTICE, 1987
Note: Law Commission working paper no. 101.
Child abuse: procedure and evidence in juvenile courts. 2nd edition
Hall, Jean Graham and Martin, Douglas F.
London: Barry Rose, 1987
ISBN: 187008070X
Notes: Report no: KN179
Parents and children: the law of parental responsibility. 3rd edition
Hoggett, Brenda M.
London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1987
ISBN: 042136050X
The practitioner's view of the role and tasks of guardians ad litem and reporting officers
Coyle, George
[London]: Dr Barnardo's Research and Development Section, [1987]
The Law on child care and family services
Department of Health and Social Security
London: HMSO, 1987
ISBN: 0101006225
Note: Cm.62.
Adoption Act manual
Jones, Richard M.
London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1988
ISBN: 0421393505
Child-care law: a practitioner's guide. 2nd edition
Hayes, Mary and Bevan, Vaughan
Bristol: Family Law, 1988
ISBN: 0853081123
International families and the law
Evans, Della
Bristol: Jordan & Sons, [1988]
ISBN: 0853081093
Police powers and young people. 3rd edition
Smythe, Steve editor
Manchester: Manchester City Council, Police Monitoring Unit, 1988
Wardship: a guide for the non-lawyer
Tunnicliffe, Harry
Birmingham: PEPAR, 1988
Improvements in the arrangements for care proceedings
The Lord Chancellor's Department
London: The Law Chancellors' Department, 1988
Child care and the courts
Smith, Carole R., Lane, Mary T. and Walsh, Terry
Basingstoke: Macmillan Education, 1988
ISBN: 0333420772
The Boarding-out regulations 1988
National Foster Care Association
London: National Foster Care Association, [1989]
ISBN: 0946015643
Note: part of Signposts in Foster Care series.
Blackstone's child law index: case precedents 1900-1997
Barrett, Maxwell
London: Blackstone, 1998
ISBN: 1854318535
These books are not necessarily recommended by the NSPCC, nor do they reflect the NSPCC's views, and they do not show the law as it stands today. They may be obtained through your local library or bookshop. For information about publications produced by the NSPCC, please contact NSPCC Publications .
Copyright © 2006 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42
Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.