Begegnungen vor Gericht : : Eine Sozial- und Kulturgeschichte des englischen Arbeitsrechts (1850-1925) / / Willibald Steinmetz; German Historical Institute London.

• VerfasserIn: Steinmetz, Willibald,
• TeilnehmendeR: German Historical Institute London, ,
• Place / Publishing House: Berlin ;, Boston : : Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag,, [2012]; ©2002
• Year of Publication: 2002; 2012
• Language: German
• Series: Veröffentlichungen des Deutschen Historischen Instituts London/ Publications of the German Historical Institute London ; BAND 51
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (728 pages) :; digital, PDF file(s).
• Notes: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• ISBN: 9783486707656; 9783486565898
• Access: Open Access
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: Willibald Steinmetz; German Historical Institute London.

In April 1909 Charlie Chaplin sued the treasurer of a seaman's mission in West Hartlepool County Court, North East England, for £ 14 and 10 shillings for failing to pay him the agreed wages and rent for a cinematographer and films. The lawsuit of Chaplin, who was just twenty years old and who only later became famous as a film actor, is one of several thousand "encounters in court" that form the starting point and basis for this book. From reports and memos about disputes over wages, layoffs, accidents at work and breaches of contract, a novel and exciting story of English labour law in the industrial age is created. For the first time, Willibald Steinmetz examines the practice of the lower courts in labour disputes and lets not only lawyers, but also laypeople, complainants and employers, have their say. Class judges, high costs, obscure procedures, embarrassing cross-examination were just some of the reasons that gave English workers little chance of success in court.