Theory in socio‐legal studies: Revisiting the Cotterrell–Nelken debate

Abstract This contribution celebrates the 25th anniversary of the publication in this journal of an era‐defining debate between Roger Cotterrell and David Nelken. It reads the debate as the product of the communicative turn in legal theory, the absorbing and productive nature of which many of us – including the present author – are in danger of forgetting as our work tilts towards today's turns of choice. At the same time, the critical distance afforded by the turn away from communication makes visible underlying commitments and patterns that were less apparent a generation ago.