Foreword

• Author: Thomas A. Cromwell
• Pages: 15-16

FOR E WOR D

Professor Coughlan set out to provide in this book a survey of the

structure, architecture, and competing values of criminal procedure.

He has succeeded mar velously.

The structure of Canadian cri minal procedure consi sts of a com-

plex set of statutory rules. But its architecture is sh aped by ancient

common law principles and deep societal va lues, many of which have

been both preserved and given new life by the Canadian Charter of

Rights and Freedoms. The subject is, as Professor Coughlan astutely ob-

serves, one in which important questions of legal principle and societal

values underlie almost every question. The complex technicalit y of the

subject must be mastered, but not to the neglect of the underlying fun-

damental pr inciples and deeply held values that are in play. The book

succeeds in striking this diff‌icult balance, never neglecting the rules

but never failing to place them in the broader context of the underlying

principles and values.

This compact volume will not appeal to those seeking a digest of

all the reported decisions, although it neglects none of the leading au-

thorities. But it wil l be a most welcome resource for both those new to

the subject and for those with more exper ience who are facing a novel

problem. For the student or the junior practitioner, this b ook provides

a concise and admirably clear account of the subject. The structure

of each topic is succinctly set out, the complex bodies of caselaw are

summari zed with clar ity and precision, and there is careful attention

to cross-referencing related areas. In short, this book offers a quickly

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