ABSTRACT
The factors which, during the period since the settlement of Australia, have induced changes in the relationship between Great Britain and Australia in other areas have not been as operative in the sphere of the common law and of the legal system. Generally speaking, the relationship of the two countries in these respects has remained fairly stable until very recent times. Then, oddly enough, the impetus to divergence came from within the British system rather than from an assertive nationalism on the part of Australia or from the need or desire to accommodate the common law to some divergent social or economic situation in Australia.
