Outline

1. Foreword
2. Part One: Learning Objectives
3. Part Two: Learning Directions
4. Part Three: Supporting Notes
   1. The Common Law
   2. Equity
   3. Primary Legislation
   4. Delegated Legislation
   5. Statutory Interpretation
   6. Judicial Precedent
   7. Legislation of the European Union
5. Part four: Assessment
   1. Identify and discuss legislation
   2. Practice legal interpretation
   3. Examine legal reasoning

Part Three: Supporting Notes

The substantive law of England is composed of three main elements. These are:

• The Common Law
• Equity
• Statute Law

Common law and equity are both systems of law established over many years by the decisions of the courts. Common law means those rules of law whose development has its origins in the decisions of the former common law courts. Equity means the rules of law whose development has its origin in the decisions of the former Court of Chancery. These two systems of courts were abolished and the administration of law and equity fused in the Judicature Acts 1873-5, but many of the rules remain intact today.