English Legal System Flashcards
What is law
Law refers to the body of rules and regulations that are enforced by the state or other legal institutions
What are laws designed to do
Laws are designed to:
- Regulate behaviour
- Ensure justice
- Maintain order within society
What is UK law primarily based on
UK law is primarily based on a combination of legislation passed by Parliament, common law principles developed by courts over time and European Union Law (prior to Brexit)
What are the two main types of UK law
The two main types of UK law are:
- Statute law
- Common law
What does statute law consist of
Statute law consists of laws passed by the UK Parliament and the devolved legislatures
What does statute law cover
Statute law covers a wide range of issues, from criminal offenses to regulations governing business practices
What does common law refer to
Common law refers to legal principles and precedents established through court decisions over centuries
How are common law principles applied and interpreted
Common law principles are applied and interpreted by judges when there is no specific statute governing a particular issue
Where does common law form a significant part of the legal framework
Common law forms a significant part of the legal framework in England and Wales
What is Scotland’s legal system like
Scotland has its own distinct legal system with a mix of common law and civil law influences
