p. 11. Understanding the Law
- James HollandJames HollandEmeritus Professor of Employment Law University of the West of England, Bristol
- and Julian WebbJulian WebbProfessor of Law University of Melbourne, Australia
Abstract
This chapter introduces some fundamentals that will underpin the understanding of law and ‘legal method’. It explains those core principles and techniques that underpin the process of legal reasoning. Topics discussed include the concept of law; functions of law, and the concept of regulation, which extends our understanding of law to include forms of delegated legislation and ‘soft’ law, and case law as it is developed by the courts. The chapter also discusses Parliament and legislation as a source of law; the structure and role of the courts; the importance of procedural law; the role of facts in legal decision-making; English law and the European Convention on Human Rights; and English law and the European Union.
