Review of the hardback: 'Patrick Polden is strong on numerous points of detail. Nothing escapes his attention … his analysis is full of variety and colour. It is an important book on a central topic. It is also formidably strong in its use of the sort of primary sources which are often ignored by writers on the English and Welsh legal system.' Legal Studies

• 1. The making of the county courts: the deficiencies of the courts, the origins of the new county courts; 2. An age of expansion, 1847–70: the new courts and the new judges; 3. An age of frustration: the turning point; 4. War to war; 5. County courts in austerity and affluence: patching up the courts; 6. Organisation and finance: central control and organisation; 7. The law of the county courts: statutes, orders and rules; 8. Judges: numbers and distribution; 9. Registrars: numbers and distribution, appointment; 10. Staff and buildings; Appendix.

Review of the hardback: 'Patrick Polden is strong on numerous points of detail. Nothing escapes his attention … his analysis is full of variety and colour. It is an important book on a central topic. It is also formidably strong in its use of the sort of primary sources which are often ignored by writers on the English and Welsh legal system.' Legal Studies

• 1. The making of the county courts: the deficiencies of the courts, the origins of the new county courts; 2. An age of expansion, 1847–70: the new courts and the new judges; 3. An age of frustration: the turning point; 4. War to war; 5. County courts in austerity and affluence: patching up the courts; 6. Organisation and finance: central control and organisation; 7. The law of the county courts: statutes, orders and rules; 8. Judges: numbers and distribution; 9. Registrars: numbers and distribution, appointment; 10. Staff and buildings; Appendix.