Sources of English Law

The two main sources of UK law are legislation, and legal principles developed by court decisions (common or case law). 

England, Scotland and N. Ireland do not have codified legal systems. Nearly all of our law of contract and much of the law of tort or delict is case law. This will gradually change with the production and implementation of Law Commission reports. 

As with most subjects, law has specific terminology. The historic development of our law is illustrated by the Latin, old French and old English phrases which are sometimes used. This chapter contains some Latin words, for example, obiter dicta and ratio decidendi (section 1.1.9) and some 

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As English law developed it followed a number of different routes or branches. The diagram in Figure 1.1 illustrates the main legal sources of English law and some of the branches of English law. 

Main legal sources of English law subject to EU laws Regulations Directives Decisions... 

Mendeleev, Dmitri Ivanovich. Mendeleev on the Periodic Law Selected Writings, 1869-1905. Mineola, N.Y. Dover, 2005. This English translation of 13 of Mendeleevs historic articles is the first easily accessible source of his major writings. 

An ideal source of legal terminology for systems based on English law. Over 4,200 clear and concise entries. 

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