ASBOs were designed to tackle real problems in local communities such as the misery and distress caused by conduct involving harassment, alarm and distress. Seven years on from their introduction, ASBOs are widely-used and often misused: by excessive use against the young and mentally disordered, by their use against conduct that is disturbed or dysfunctional rather than serious and threatening, by resort to over-wide prohibitions and an over-readiness to impose custodial terms for breaches. ASBOs: a practitioner's guide to defending anti-social behaviour orders is a unique guide to this area of law. It is the first text to examine the practice and procedure of the criminal courts and the county court from the standpoint of a practitioner acting for the defendant. In addition to providing procedural and tactical guidance, it lends a powerful voice to the debate for a fairer and more balanced approach to what is 'anti-social behaviour' and what the appropriate prohibitions should be. It takes the reader through all the key issues: what should be considered before an ASBO is applied for? the difference between 'stand alone' and post-conviction ASBOs; the civil jurisdiction of the criminal courts; housing law and ASBOs in the county court; admissibility of hearsay and Article 6 of the ECHR; terms and duration of ASBOs; breaches and sentencing; treatment of children and young people; and, how to obtain public funding and recover costs. There is authoritative guidance on statutory tests, analysis of the rapidly developing body of case law as well as an analysis of the relevant human rights jurisprudence. The text is supplemented with all the crucial, updated legislation, statutory instruments, ECHR Articles, relevant Civil Procedure Rules, court forms and a practitioner's checklist. ASBOs is essential reading for criminal and housing practitioners, local authorities, police, the judiciary, those working in the youth justice system and in voluntary sector organisations concerned with young people, mental health and learning disabilities.

From the point of view of the practitioner, this book has it all: detailed exposition of the statutory tests; masterful analysis of the developing case law and its conflicting trends; helpful guidance on tactics ... this book is not just scholarly and comprehensive. It is above all practical, clear and helpful. Edward Fitzgerald QC, from his foreword

Maya Sikand is a barrister at Garden Court Chambers in London. She specialises in criminal defence work and crime-related civil work. She approaches all areas of her practise in the context of human rights jurisprudence. She has written articles for Archbold News, New Law Journal and Legal Action.