United Kingdom · Overview
The legal system of United Kingdom
The birthplace of common law, and one of the few states with no single written constitution. Three distinct legal jurisdictions coexist: England and Wales, Scotland (a mixed civil–common system) and Northern Ireland. Parliamentary sovereignty remains the organising principle.
Legal tradition
United Kingdom belongs to the common law tradition. The birthplace of common law, and one of the few states with no single written constitution. Three distinct legal jurisdictions coexist: England and Wales, Scotland (a mixed civil–common system) and Northern Ireland. Parliamentary sovereignty remains the organising principle.
How power is divided
The executive sits inside the legislature. Judicial independence was strengthened in 2005 when the Supreme Court replaced the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords.
Where law comes from
- Acts of Parliament
- Primary legislation; sovereign and unreviewable for validity.
- Statutory instruments
- Delegated legislation, reviewable for excess of power.
- Case law
- Binding precedent from the Supreme Court downwards.
- Constitutional convention
- Politically binding, judicially unenforceable practice.
- Devolved legislation
- Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, NI Assembly within competence.
The legal profession
A split profession: solicitors (regulated by the SRA) advise and conduct litigation; barristers (Bar Standards Board) hold rights of audience in the higher courts.
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