District Judges and Possession Proceedings

In this article, we draw on data obtained in interviews with District Judges about the factors which they say influence the exercise of their discretion in possession proceedings. Analysing the data set enabled us to create three ideal types of judicial decision—making which we have labelled 'liberal', 'patrician', and formalist'. We discuss the differences between each ideal type across five different variables: the District Judge role; approach; view of occupiers; the problem; behaviour of occupiers. Our data demonstrate a set of reasons to explain different approaches and outcomes between different District Judges (as well as the perhaps unlikely identification of a 'maverick' or 'idiosyncratic' style of judging). We conclude by suggesting on the basis of our data that, despite calls to structure or remove the discretion from District Judges, any such changes are unlikely to have much effect.     

On the beginnings of foundational legal research into legal discourse

Conclusion The beginnings of foundational legal research require reflective access to the cultural dynamics which drive the social construction of legal reality. Such access is blocked by our naive immersion within commonsensical and policy-orientated attunements towards our experience of law.Since this very blockage is veiled by its own operation, a suspension of these standpoints is required. This allows us to begin to comprehend the way common sense institutes an ungrounded and superficial obviousness through a self-concealing and naively realistic interpretative schema. From here the positive character of foundational legal studies can itself emerge as the systematic interrogation of legal experience in relation to its what, how and forwhom structure. Foundational theorising is then redirected towards a more respectful and less exploitative relationship with the linguistic roots of our consciousness of law.I would like to thank Peter Goodrich for the useful comments made on the first draft of this article.     

Private health insurance in Uganda: bridging the gap in public health provision?

This article discusses two organisations currently providing voluntary private health insurance in Uganda and considers their contributions to bridging the gap in provision in the country's public health sector.     

The Psychological Impact of Traumatic Events on Children

The past decade has seen accumulating research detailing the psychological consequences of a range of traumatic events upon children and young people. This paper summarizes some of the psychological consequences, including posttraumatic stress disorder, and describes the presentation and course in children. Treatment studies are reviewed and the need for further research with children involved in a range of events highlighted. In particular, there is a need to develop and evaluate early interventions and to identify factors that mediate or moderate negative consequences.