This document provides an introduction to Anglo-American law through a series of lectures. It discusses the sources of English law including case law, statutory law, and equity law. The history of the common law is examined along with how it has been modified by equity law and statutory law. The English judicial system is also outlined including the major courts such as the House of Lords, Court of Appeal, High Court, Crown Court, and Magistrates Court. Useful websites for further research are also provided. Students are assigned reading and presentation activities.

1. An Introduction
to
Anglo-American Law
First Grade
1 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com

2. Third Lecture
2 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com

3. Sources of English Law …..
English Law refers to the Common
Law family (case law – legal
precedent law – judge made law)
Mainly, English law sources are
statutory law, equity law and legal
precedents (local custom or
common law)
3 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com

4. Sources of English Law …..
stare decisis principle: old
judgments govern future cases
with the same facts
Lower courts are binding by the
high courts judgments
Binding and persuasive
(supported) legal precedents
4 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com

5. History of the Common Law….
Common law modified in two ways:
1. Equity law: Kings courts used as a tool
to revise common law courts by granting
different relief, ex. Specific performance
injunction, rescission (cancelation) and
rectification (amending)
2. Statutory law: a written law enacted by
the legislative authority for certain topics
In case of conflict, statutory law prevail
5 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com

6. English Judicial System …..
Unified court system
Two important principles:
1. Independence of Judge: judges
appointed for a life – no judicial
review for parliament laws
2. Rule of Law: no one above the
law – no crime or punishment
except by a rule of law
6 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com

7. House of Lords
(Supreme Court of United
Kingdom)
Court of Appeal Court of Appeal
(civil) (criminal)
High Court
(Queen’s Bench- Crown Court
Chancery-Family)
Country Magistrates
Court Court
7

8. http://loc.gov/law/help/uk.php
8

9. Useful websites …..
http://www.law.duke.edu/lib/re
searchguides/english
http://www.inbrief.co.uk/legal-
system/english-law.htm
http://loc.gov/law/help/uk.php
9 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com

10. Studying …..
Reading chapter 2 completely
Please read, check, and keep in
mind the following questions p.
46-49
2,3,4,5,6,9,14,18,19,20,26,38,
42,43 and 44
For next lecture, read chapter 3
p.59-64
10 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com

11. Activities …..
Groups no. 4,5 and 6 will make
a presentation for next lecture
(Chapter3)
All groups’ members meet in
my office, Monday
11 prepared by: DOAA ABOTALEB doaaabotaleb@yahoo.com