Figure 3.1: main sources of English law One factor which may seem difficult at first is getting to grips with these various legal rules. To competently handle primary texts of law, there is a need to: (a) locate and understand the various sources of the rules; (b) learn how they can be used to provide a resolution to disputes of a legal nature; (c) learn how to engage in applying and interpreting the rules; (d) understand the interconnections between the main sources of English law and in particular the relationship between cases and legislation. In order to give a context for the reading and analysing techniques that enable primary texts of law to be properly understood, it is necessary to describe briefly each of the main sources of law. These important sources of law are of course studied in more detail in courses on constitutional and administrative law (or public law), English legal system and European law and human rights. 3.3.1 The common law The phrase ‘common law’ has several meanings which vary according to context but as used in this text it means no more and no less than:

DOI link for Figure 3.1: main sources of English law One factor which may seem difficult at first is getting to grips with these various legal rules. To competently handle primary texts of law, there is a need to: (a) locate and understand the various sources of the rules; (b) learn how they can be used to provide a resolution to disputes of a legal nature; (c) learn how to engage in applying and interpreting the rules; (d) understand the interconnections between the main sources of English law and in particular the relationship between cases and legislation. In order to give a context for the reading and analysing techniques that enable primary texts of law to be properly understood, it is necessary to describe briefly each of the main sources of law. These important sources of law are of course studied in more detail in courses on constitutional and administrative law (or public law), English legal system and European law and human rights. 3.3.1 The common law The phrase ‘common law’ has several meanings which vary according to context but as used in this text it means no more and no less than:

Figure 3.1: main sources of English law One factor which may seem difficult at first is getting to grips with these various legal rules. To competently handle primary texts of law, there is a need to: (a) locate and understand the various sources of the rules; (b) learn how they can be used to provide a resolution to disputes of a legal nature; (c) learn how to engage in applying and interpreting the rules; (d) understand the interconnections between the main sources of English law and in particular the relationship between cases and legislation. In order to give a context for the reading and analysing techniques that enable primary texts of law to be properly understood, it is necessary to describe briefly each of the main sources of law. These important sources of law are of course studied in more detail in courses on constitutional and administrative law (or public law), English legal system and European law and human rights. 3.3.1 The common law The phrase ‘common law’ has several meanings which vary according to context but as used in this text it means no more and no less than: