1 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Introduction to English Law Lecture 1: The Legal System 8th December 2008 Dr. Ian Curry-Sumner UCERF, School of Law, Utrecht University Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Teaching Schedule Monday 8th December Monday 8th December 11.10-12.40 Room 136 13.30-15.10 Room 025 Introduction and legal history Constitutional law Tuesday 9th December Wednesday 10th December 18.15-19.45 Room 025 16.40-18.10 Room 025 Criminal law Family Law Wednesday 10th December Thursday 11th December 18.15-19.45 09.35-11.00 Room 133 Contract Law Tort Law Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Structure of the lecture 1. Introduction to the Common Law System 2. Introduction to the English Legal System 3. Sources of Law 4. Balance of Powers: Legislature, Judiciary and Executive 5. The Court System 6. Cases Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid 1. Introduction to the Common Law System Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Usage of the term "Common law" Usage Please note the use of the term common law as opposed to: ­ Common law v. Civil law ­ Common law v. Equity ­ Common law v. Local law ­ Common law v. Statute law ­ Common law v. Any foreign system of law 2 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid 2. Introduction to the English Legal System Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Population 60,441,457 Area 242,900 m2 Capital London Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Terminology Useful dictionary Law Dictionary, Mozley & Whiteley, 12th Edition, Butterworths, 2001 The country England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Great Britain United Kingdom British Isles Common wealth Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Basic Underlying Thoughts * No written constitution * Legislation seen as incursion into common law * Academic writings not seen as a source of law * No codification * System based on tradition, custom and convention * System based on pragmatism and reasonableness Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid 3. Sources of Law Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Sources of Law 1. Supranational Law 1. International treaties: Dualistic system 2. EC Law 2. Legislation 1. Statutes: www.statutelaw.gov.uk (updated up to at least 2001) 2. Statutes: www.opsi.gov.uk/acts (since 1988, not updated) 3. Statutory instruments: www.opsi.gov.uk/stat (since 1987, not updated) 3. Judicial Precedent 1. All England Law Reports All ER 2. Law Reports Ch, QBD, CA, HL 3. Weekly Law Reports WLR 4. Subsidiary Sources 1. Custom 2. Books of authority: Visit university websites (e.g. www.law.cam.ac.uk) 3 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid 4. Balance of Powers: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid House of Commons House of Lords Sovereign The British Parliament Opposition Government House of Commons Cabinet Prime Minister Ministerial Departments Non-Ministerial Departments Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Monarchy * Queen ­ Sovereign of the UK ­ Distinction: * "The Commonwealth" * "The Commonwealth Realm" ­ Commonwealth Realm: 16 countries * Includes Australia and Canada * Often represented by Governor General ­ The Commonwealth: 53 countries * Includes Nigeria, India * Independent and voluntary organisation Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid House of Lords: Composition Life Peers Law Lords Lords Spiritual Hereditary Peers Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid 5. The Court System Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid The Court System ­ Civil and criminal systems ­ No public law vs. private law distinction other than in academia ­ Major reform due in 2008 ­ Constitutional Reform Act 2005 4 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Who binds who? Precedent House of Lords Binds all courts below but not itself (since 1966). Court of Appeal Bound by House of Lords and itself and binds all lower courts All lower courts Bound by higher decisions only. Binds no-one. Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid 6. Cases Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid Document Donoghue v. Stephenson [1932] AC 562 How to read a case!