What is the Law of the United Kingdom?

There are three systems of law that are applicable to the United Kingdom and which you will follow depends solely on where you live. For some who live in England or in Wales the law that they will follow is English Law. Those who live in Ireland will follow the law of Northern Ireland, while those who reside in Scotland live by the Scots law. Each law is different and unique in their own way, while each maintains its similarities.

The English Law

The system that is known as the English law throughout the United Kingdom is used in both England and in Wales. This system has no constitution and there is no real codification of the statutes of the English law, therefore once a statute is approved by the Parliament, that means that is law and will not be reviewed by the individual courts. Therefore there is no reason to ensure that the law is following the laws set by the constitution.

The system of the English law is overseen by the highest court in the land which is the House of Lords, both the civil and the criminal laws are heard in this house. There is a Court of Appeals in both the civil and criminal processes that hear appeals to cases. The High court and the Crown Court both have the original jurisdiction and they also have the appellate jurisdiction, over cases that they feel are too complex for the lowest courts which are the County and the Magistrate courts.

Northern Ireland Law

Common law is the basis for the Northern Ireland System of Law. It deals primarily with both civil and criminal matters and is very much like the English law.

The Scots

Scots law is very different from the other two laws and takes it basis from the law of the Romans. It comes from civil law and has a few parts from the common law practiced during medieval times. Scotland’s laws are its own and are very different from the laws maintained by the other two systems. The laws created in 1707, which are called the Acts of Union allowed the Scottish law to maintain its own structure.

Each of these law systems ensure that the United Kingdom gives its residence fair and equitable treatment by ensuring the rights of its people. Additionally, they are constructed and kept through acts of parliament, which brings new laws and statutes for its people to follow. If you are planning to study law in the UK, knowing the right laws to study is quite important for the areas solicitors and barristers to become knowledgeable in the subject of law throughout the three systems.