English Legal System

What this unit covers

The resources follow the main building blocks of the English legal system. The Sources of Law mind map sets out statute law, common law and the law of equity. The mind map on the development of Common Law and Equity looks at the Court of Chancery, the maxims of equity and the Judicature Acts.

Other maps cover Judicial Precedent, with stare decisis and ratio decidendi, and Statutory interpretation, which asks why interpretation is needed and looks at ambiguity and drafting errors, including Brock v DPP 1993.

Courts and dispute resolution

The Civil courts and ADR mind map explains the County Court and the three divisions of the High Court. The Alternative Dispute Resolution map looks at settling disputes outside court. Flowcharts such as Civil Court Structure and Criminal Court Struture give you the hierarchy at a glance.

People in the system

The Legal Personnel mind map covers barristers, solicitors, the four Inns of Court, rights of audience and the cab rank rule. The chapter on the legal profession looks at how solicitors train. The flashcard deck on lay magistrates, juries and legal personnel is a good way to test the same ground.

A sensible order

1. Start with the mind map called The English Legal System for an overview.
2. Move to Sources of Law, then Judicial Precedent.
3. Add Statutory interpretation and the courts.
4. Finish with legal personnel, magistrates and juries.

Using maps and quizzes together

Read a map first, then take a quiz on the same topic, such as the Statutory Interpretation quiz or the quiz on legal personnel. Note what you missed, go back to the map, then check yourself with the matching flashcards. This unit sits in the Legal Systems and Institutions strand of Law (general and introduction).

Choose one topic today and see how much you can recall.