Zoë OULI 2021-2022
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
INTRODUCTION TO COMMON LAW & ENGLISH LEGAL
TERMINOLOGY
CONTENTS
I. EXAM AND CONTENT OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 7
II. COMMON LAW & ENGLISH LEGAL TERMINOLOGY ...................................................................................... 8
Common Law...................................................................................................................................................... 8
The legal systems of the United Kingdom .......................................................................................................... 8
1. Great Britain .......................................................................................................................................... 9
III. SOURCES ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Legislation ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
1. Parliament as a rule-maker ................................................................................................................. 10
2. Legislation ........................................................................................................................................... 10
A statute ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
1. Children act 1989 chapter 41 .............................................................................................................. 10
2. Statutory interpretation ...................................................................................................................... 11
3. Reasons statutory interpretations are needed ................................................................................... 11
4. How to interpret statutes ................................................................................................................... 12
4.1 Literal rule .................................................................................................................................. 12
4.2 Golden rule ................................................................................................................................. 13
4.3 The mischief rule ........................................................................................................................ 14
4.4 The purposive approach ............................................................................................................. 15
5. Pepper v Hart (1993) – statutory interpretation ................................................................................. 16
6. The three language rules..................................................................................................................... 19
6.1 Ejusdem generis (Eiusdem generis) ............................................................................................ 19
6.2 Expressio unius est exclusion alterius ........................................................................................ 19
6.3 Noscitur a socii ........................................................................................................................... 19
6.4 Exercise ....................................................................................................................................... 20
7. Case law .............................................................................................................................................. 20
8. Judicial law-making ............................................................................................................................. 21
8.1 doctrine of precedent................................................................................................................. 21
8.2 Stare decisis ................................................................................................................................ 22
8.3 European Union law ................................................................................................................... 22
8.4 Other sources ............................................................................................................................. 22
IV. Formal Law-Making: the Court Structure............................................................................................... 23
Rule-Making in England and Wales .................................................................................................................. 23
1
,Zoë OULI 2021-2022
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1. Judicial law-making: doctrine of precedent ........................................................................................ 23
2. The doctrine of precedent .................................................................................................................. 23
The Court Structure .......................................................................................................................................... 24
1. Civil Courts .......................................................................................................................................... 25
1.1 Magistrates’ Court ..................................................................................................................... 25
1.2 County Court .............................................................................................................................. 25
1.3 High Court of Justice................................................................................................................... 26
Court of Appeal – Civil Division ........................................................................................................................ 28
1. Appellate Committee of the House of Lords (changed in 2009) ......................................................... 28
2. Judicial Committee of the Privy Council .............................................................................................. 28
Reform : A Supreme Court ............................................................................................................................... 29
Judiciary............................................................................................................................................................ 29
V. PRECEDENT .................................................................................................................................................. 30
Historical perspective ....................................................................................................................................... 30
What is the doctrine of precedent? ................................................................................................................. 31
1. Law and Fact ....................................................................................................................................... 31
2. The operation of precedent ................................................................................................................ 31
3. Hierarchy of precedent ....................................................................................................................... 31
4. Precedent in practice .......................................................................................................................... 33
4.1 Dealing with cases ...................................................................................................................... 33
4.2 Difficulties with the doctrine ...................................................................................................... 34
VI. HISTORY OF THE COMMON LAW ........................................................................................................... 38
The Anglo-saxon Era ......................................................................................................................................... 38
Norman conquest and birth of Common Law .................................................................................................. 39
1. Norman period : King’s court : ............................................................................................................ 40
2. Norman period : Ecclesiastical courts ................................................................................................. 41
3. Norman Period: Local Courts .............................................................................................................. 41
Norman Period ................................................................................................................................................. 41
1. Writ ..................................................................................................................................................... 41
2. Writ of trespass ................................................................................................................................... 42
History of english Common Law : norman period ............................................................................................ 42
1. Judicial revalry ..................................................................................................................................... 43
2. Henry VIII ............................................................................................................................................. 43
3. Roman V/S Common law .................................................................................................................... 43
4. Court of chancery & equity ................................................................................................................. 43
VII. HISTORY OF ENGLISH COMMON LAW.................................................................................................... 44
Stability & stagnation (1660-1830) .................................................................................................................. 44
2
,Zoë OULI 2021-2022
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1. Equity, common law & procedures ..................................................................................................... 44
Reform & legislation 1830- .............................................................................................................................. 44
1. Reform of procedural law ................................................................................................................... 44
2. Reform of substantive law .................................................................................................................. 45
VIII. THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM ..................................................................................................................... 45
Definition .......................................................................................................................................................... 45
Civil justice system’s role ................................................................................................................................. 45
1. Factual situation .................................................................................................................................. 46
The Woolf review ............................................................................................................................................. 46
1. Findings .................................................................................................................................................... 46
1.1 Costs ........................................................................................................................................... 46
1.2 Delays ......................................................................................................................................... 47
1.3 Injustice and adversarial process ............................................................................................... 47
The Woolf Reforms .......................................................................................................................................... 47
1. The Woolf conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 47
2. The Woolf proposals for reforms ........................................................................................................ 48
3. Track allocation ................................................................................................................................... 48
3.1 Small claims ................................................................................................................................ 48
3.2 Small claims: appeals .................................................................................................................. 49
3.3 Small claims : evaluation ............................................................................................................ 49
3.4 Fast track procedure................................................................................................................... 49
3.5 Multi-track procedure ................................................................................................................ 50
3.6 Sanctions .................................................................................................................................... 50
3.7 Appeals ....................................................................................................................................... 50
3.8 Bowman review .......................................................................................................................... 51
3.9 Access to Justice Act 1999 .......................................................................................................... 51
Out-of-Court Settlements ................................................................................................................................ 52
1. Definition............................................................................................................................................. 52
Evaluating the Woolf Reforms ......................................................................................................................... 52
1. Woolf reforms : an assessment ........................................................................................................... 52
2. Woolf Reforms : conclusion ................................................................................................................ 53
Alternative Dispute Settlement ........................................................................................................................ 53
1. Alternative methods of dispute resolution ......................................................................................... 53
2. Definition............................................................................................................................................. 53
3. ADR mechanisms ................................................................................................................................. 53
3.1 Mediation : divorce cases ........................................................................................................... 54
3.2 Conciliation ................................................................................................................................. 54
3
, Zoë OULI 2021-2022
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
3.3 Arbitration .................................................................................................................................. 54
3.4 Dis-/advantages of ADR .............................................................................................................. 54
IX. CRIMINAL LAW IN ENGLAND AND WALES ................................................................................................. 55
Legal profession ............................................................................................................................................... 55
Elements of crime in general............................................................................................................................ 57
Adversarial system ........................................................................................................................................... 58
1. Rules of evidences: .............................................................................................................................. 59
2. R V COLLINS ......................................................................................................................................... 59
Law of assault ................................................................................................................................................... 61
1. Common assault.................................................................................................................................. 61
1.1 Criminal Justice Act 1988 Chapter 33 ......................................................................................... 61
1.2 Offences against the person act 1861 chapter 100 .................................................................... 62
2. The corporal punishment of children and the law of assault in England and Wales .......................... 64
2.1 A v. United Kingdom ................................................................................................................... 65
2.2 Children Act 2004 (chapter 31) .................................................................................................. 65
2.3 Reasonable punishment defence to assault............................................................................... 66
2.4 Update ........................................................................................................................................ 66
Evidence ........................................................................................................................................................... 67
Rules of evidence ............................................................................................................................................. 67
X. CONTRACT LAW........................................................................................................................................... 68
Definition and elements of a contract ............................................................................................................. 68
1. Agreement .......................................................................................................................................... 68
2. Offer .................................................................................................................................................... 68
3. Acceptance .......................................................................................................................................... 69
Issues in Hyde v Wrench .............................................................................................................................. 69
Decision / Outcome of Hyde v Wrench ........................................................................................................ 69
4. Unilateral agreement .......................................................................................................................... 69
Issue ............................................................................................................................................................. 70
Held .............................................................................................................................................................. 70
Issue: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 70
Held: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 70
5. Gazumping and gazundering ............................................................................................................... 70
6. enforceable contract ........................................................................................................................... 71
7. Privity of contract ................................................................................................................................ 72
XI. EQUITY AND TRUST ..................................................................................................................................... 73
Recap ................................................................................................................................................................ 73
4
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
INTRODUCTION TO COMMON LAW & ENGLISH LEGAL
TERMINOLOGY
CONTENTS
I. EXAM AND CONTENT OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 7
II. COMMON LAW & ENGLISH LEGAL TERMINOLOGY ...................................................................................... 8
Common Law...................................................................................................................................................... 8
The legal systems of the United Kingdom .......................................................................................................... 8
1. Great Britain .......................................................................................................................................... 9
III. SOURCES ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Legislation ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
1. Parliament as a rule-maker ................................................................................................................. 10
2. Legislation ........................................................................................................................................... 10
A statute ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
1. Children act 1989 chapter 41 .............................................................................................................. 10
2. Statutory interpretation ...................................................................................................................... 11
3. Reasons statutory interpretations are needed ................................................................................... 11
4. How to interpret statutes ................................................................................................................... 12
4.1 Literal rule .................................................................................................................................. 12
4.2 Golden rule ................................................................................................................................. 13
4.3 The mischief rule ........................................................................................................................ 14
4.4 The purposive approach ............................................................................................................. 15
5. Pepper v Hart (1993) – statutory interpretation ................................................................................. 16
6. The three language rules..................................................................................................................... 19
6.1 Ejusdem generis (Eiusdem generis) ............................................................................................ 19
6.2 Expressio unius est exclusion alterius ........................................................................................ 19
6.3 Noscitur a socii ........................................................................................................................... 19
6.4 Exercise ....................................................................................................................................... 20
7. Case law .............................................................................................................................................. 20
8. Judicial law-making ............................................................................................................................. 21
8.1 doctrine of precedent................................................................................................................. 21
8.2 Stare decisis ................................................................................................................................ 22
8.3 European Union law ................................................................................................................... 22
8.4 Other sources ............................................................................................................................. 22
IV. Formal Law-Making: the Court Structure............................................................................................... 23
Rule-Making in England and Wales .................................................................................................................. 23
1
,Zoë OULI 2021-2022
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1. Judicial law-making: doctrine of precedent ........................................................................................ 23
2. The doctrine of precedent .................................................................................................................. 23
The Court Structure .......................................................................................................................................... 24
1. Civil Courts .......................................................................................................................................... 25
1.1 Magistrates’ Court ..................................................................................................................... 25
1.2 County Court .............................................................................................................................. 25
1.3 High Court of Justice................................................................................................................... 26
Court of Appeal – Civil Division ........................................................................................................................ 28
1. Appellate Committee of the House of Lords (changed in 2009) ......................................................... 28
2. Judicial Committee of the Privy Council .............................................................................................. 28
Reform : A Supreme Court ............................................................................................................................... 29
Judiciary............................................................................................................................................................ 29
V. PRECEDENT .................................................................................................................................................. 30
Historical perspective ....................................................................................................................................... 30
What is the doctrine of precedent? ................................................................................................................. 31
1. Law and Fact ....................................................................................................................................... 31
2. The operation of precedent ................................................................................................................ 31
3. Hierarchy of precedent ....................................................................................................................... 31
4. Precedent in practice .......................................................................................................................... 33
4.1 Dealing with cases ...................................................................................................................... 33
4.2 Difficulties with the doctrine ...................................................................................................... 34
VI. HISTORY OF THE COMMON LAW ........................................................................................................... 38
The Anglo-saxon Era ......................................................................................................................................... 38
Norman conquest and birth of Common Law .................................................................................................. 39
1. Norman period : King’s court : ............................................................................................................ 40
2. Norman period : Ecclesiastical courts ................................................................................................. 41
3. Norman Period: Local Courts .............................................................................................................. 41
Norman Period ................................................................................................................................................. 41
1. Writ ..................................................................................................................................................... 41
2. Writ of trespass ................................................................................................................................... 42
History of english Common Law : norman period ............................................................................................ 42
1. Judicial revalry ..................................................................................................................................... 43
2. Henry VIII ............................................................................................................................................. 43
3. Roman V/S Common law .................................................................................................................... 43
4. Court of chancery & equity ................................................................................................................. 43
VII. HISTORY OF ENGLISH COMMON LAW.................................................................................................... 44
Stability & stagnation (1660-1830) .................................................................................................................. 44
2
,Zoë OULI 2021-2022
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1. Equity, common law & procedures ..................................................................................................... 44
Reform & legislation 1830- .............................................................................................................................. 44
1. Reform of procedural law ................................................................................................................... 44
2. Reform of substantive law .................................................................................................................. 45
VIII. THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM ..................................................................................................................... 45
Definition .......................................................................................................................................................... 45
Civil justice system’s role ................................................................................................................................. 45
1. Factual situation .................................................................................................................................. 46
The Woolf review ............................................................................................................................................. 46
1. Findings .................................................................................................................................................... 46
1.1 Costs ........................................................................................................................................... 46
1.2 Delays ......................................................................................................................................... 47
1.3 Injustice and adversarial process ............................................................................................... 47
The Woolf Reforms .......................................................................................................................................... 47
1. The Woolf conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 47
2. The Woolf proposals for reforms ........................................................................................................ 48
3. Track allocation ................................................................................................................................... 48
3.1 Small claims ................................................................................................................................ 48
3.2 Small claims: appeals .................................................................................................................. 49
3.3 Small claims : evaluation ............................................................................................................ 49
3.4 Fast track procedure................................................................................................................... 49
3.5 Multi-track procedure ................................................................................................................ 50
3.6 Sanctions .................................................................................................................................... 50
3.7 Appeals ....................................................................................................................................... 50
3.8 Bowman review .......................................................................................................................... 51
3.9 Access to Justice Act 1999 .......................................................................................................... 51
Out-of-Court Settlements ................................................................................................................................ 52
1. Definition............................................................................................................................................. 52
Evaluating the Woolf Reforms ......................................................................................................................... 52
1. Woolf reforms : an assessment ........................................................................................................... 52
2. Woolf Reforms : conclusion ................................................................................................................ 53
Alternative Dispute Settlement ........................................................................................................................ 53
1. Alternative methods of dispute resolution ......................................................................................... 53
2. Definition............................................................................................................................................. 53
3. ADR mechanisms ................................................................................................................................. 53
3.1 Mediation : divorce cases ........................................................................................................... 54
3.2 Conciliation ................................................................................................................................. 54
3
, Zoë OULI 2021-2022
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
3.3 Arbitration .................................................................................................................................. 54
3.4 Dis-/advantages of ADR .............................................................................................................. 54
IX. CRIMINAL LAW IN ENGLAND AND WALES ................................................................................................. 55
Legal profession ............................................................................................................................................... 55
Elements of crime in general............................................................................................................................ 57
Adversarial system ........................................................................................................................................... 58
1. Rules of evidences: .............................................................................................................................. 59
2. R V COLLINS ......................................................................................................................................... 59
Law of assault ................................................................................................................................................... 61
1. Common assault.................................................................................................................................. 61
1.1 Criminal Justice Act 1988 Chapter 33 ......................................................................................... 61
1.2 Offences against the person act 1861 chapter 100 .................................................................... 62
2. The corporal punishment of children and the law of assault in England and Wales .......................... 64
2.1 A v. United Kingdom ................................................................................................................... 65
2.2 Children Act 2004 (chapter 31) .................................................................................................. 65
2.3 Reasonable punishment defence to assault............................................................................... 66
2.4 Update ........................................................................................................................................ 66
Evidence ........................................................................................................................................................... 67
Rules of evidence ............................................................................................................................................. 67
X. CONTRACT LAW........................................................................................................................................... 68
Definition and elements of a contract ............................................................................................................. 68
1. Agreement .......................................................................................................................................... 68
2. Offer .................................................................................................................................................... 68
3. Acceptance .......................................................................................................................................... 69
Issues in Hyde v Wrench .............................................................................................................................. 69
Decision / Outcome of Hyde v Wrench ........................................................................................................ 69
4. Unilateral agreement .......................................................................................................................... 69
Issue ............................................................................................................................................................. 70
Held .............................................................................................................................................................. 70
Issue: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 70
Held: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 70
5. Gazumping and gazundering ............................................................................................................... 70
6. enforceable contract ........................................................................................................................... 71
7. Privity of contract ................................................................................................................................ 72
XI. EQUITY AND TRUST ..................................................................................................................................... 73
Recap ................................................................................................................................................................ 73
4
