Contents

Preface

1 Studying Law: What’s It All About?

Introduction

Law and justice

Some distinctions between the academic study and the practice of law

The skills required for success as a law student

Summary

2 The Sources of English Law

Introduction

Common law and statute law

European Union law

How European Union law enters English law

Resolving conflicts between English law and European Union law

European Convention on Human Rights

Summary

3 The Constitutional Context of English Law

Introduction

What is a constitution?

The underlying doctrines of the British constitution

Devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The European Union dimension

The European Convention on Human Rights

Summary

4 The Jurisdictions of the Principal Courts

Introduction

The three types of jurisdiction

The hierarchy of the courts

Rights of appeal and permission to appeal in the English courts

Tribunals and inquiries

The European Court of Human Rights

Summary

5 The Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

Introduction

Protection of human rights by the common law

Statute law other than the Human Rights Act 1998

The European Convention on Human Rights

The Human Rights Act 1998

European Union law and the protection of human rights

Summary

6 Finding and Citing the Sources of Law

Introduction

Libraries and learning resource centres

Textbooks, casebooks, statute books and journals

Law reports

Statutes

Summary

7 Legal Method

Introduction

The importance of careful reasoning

Language and the importance of context

The common law and the doctrine of binding precedent

Legislation and legislative interpretation

Legislative interpretation in the European Court of Justice

Legislative interpretation in the European Court of Human Rights

Summary

8 Reading Law Reports and Statutes

Introduction

Reading Law Reports

Reading statutes

Summary

9 Written English

Introduction

The mongoose principle

Sentence structure

Spelling

Punctuation

Style

Summary

10 Answering Essay Questions

Introduction

Cheating

Referencing and footnoting

Writing good law essays

A full specimen essay

Summary

11 Answering Problem Questions

Introduction

Planning and writing an answer

Worked examples

Summary

12 Oral Skills

Introduction

Preparing the presentation

Delivering the presentation

Mooting

Summary

Appendices

1 Extracts From the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

2 Law Reports and Journals (Some Useful References)

Index