We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

English Common Law

Structure and Principles

The Common Law of England and Wales is one of the major global legal traditions. In order to understand the common law, we need to deal with its history, and the development of its characteristic institutions like the jury, judge made law, parliamentary sovereignty and due process. We also need to ask some critical questions. What role does democracy play in the development of the common law? To what extent are human rights central to the modern common law? How does the common law of England and Wales relate to the law of the European Union? Answering these questions will give us insights into the current challenges the law faces and its possible futures.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Two deals to help you save

We found two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.

Save money when you learn. All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until December 12

Annual Subscription Savings

Unlock programs from Google, Microsoft, and IBM and join 77% of learners who reported positive career outcomes.

Only $239!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Offers a critical perspective on historical and modern developments of common law

Examines the role of institutions like the jury, judge made law, and parliamentary sovereignty in shaping common law

Taught by Professor Adam Gearey, who is known for their work in Legal history

Provides insights into the current challenges the common law faces and its possible futures

May require a foundational understanding of legal concepts

Save this course

Save English Common Law: Structure and Principles to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Reviews summary

Enjoyable introduction to english common law

This course provides an engaging introduction to the structure and principles of English Common Law. Students appreciate the well-structured content and presentation style, which makes the learning experience enjoyable. The course effectively conveys the foundational concepts of the common law system, including its history, institutions, and relationship with democracy and human rights.

Lectures are interesting and effectively convey concepts.

"The lectures are moderately interesting, though not quite what I expected."

Course content is well-organized and easy to follow.

"The course provides a good understanding of the common law judicial system, presenting basic principles, relationship between powers and their structure of functioning."

Course effectively covers core principles of common law.

Course certificate information is unclear and potentially misleading.

"The certificate provided in signature track is confusing. It is mentioned that the course is authorized by the University of London and offered through coursera but it is also mentioned that " This statement does not confer University of London registration, degree, award, grade or credit""

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in English Common Law: Structure and Principles with these activities:

Review legal terminology

Show steps

Brushing up on legal terminology will provide a solid foundation for understanding the core concepts of the Common Law of England and Wales.

Browse courses on Legal Terminology

Show steps

Compile a glossary of legal terms
Practice using legal terms in context

Review constitutional law principles

Show steps

Refresher your understanding of constitutional law principles will provide a strong foundation for exploring the relationship between the Common Law and the Constitution.

Browse courses on Constitutional Law

Show steps

Review your notes or textbooks on constitutional law
Take practice quizzes or exams

Read Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England

Show steps

Blackstone's Commentaries provides a comprehensive overview of the Common Law of England and Wales, helping you gain a deeper understanding of its historical development and key principles.

View Commentaries on the Laws of England on Amazon

Show steps

Read one book of the Commentaries each week
Summarize the main points of each book

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Analyze case studies

Show steps

Practicing case analysis will enhance your ability to apply the principles of the Common Law to real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Case Analysis

Show steps

Read the case study and identify the legal issues
Research relevant case law and statutes
Apply the law to the facts of the case
Write a brief summarizing your analysis

Participate in online discussion forums

Show steps

Engaging in online discussions will allow you to exchange ideas with peers, clarify your understanding, and gain diverse perspectives on the course material.

Show steps

Join the course discussion forum
Post thoughtful questions and comments
Respond to the posts of others

Compile a library of legal resources

Show steps

Building a personal library of legal resources will provide you with easy access to the materials you need to succeed in your studies and future career.

Show steps

Identify the key legal resources for the course
Bookmark or download the resources
Create a system for organizing your resources

Develop a legal research strategy

Show steps

Creating a legal research strategy will equip you with the skills to efficiently find and analyze legal sources, which is crucial for success in the field.

Browse courses on Legal Research

Show steps

Identify the legal issue
Determine the relevant sources of law
Develop a search strategy
Conduct the research
Analyze the results

Career center

Learners who complete English Common Law: Structure and Principles will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Legal Researcher

Legal Researchers conduct legal research for lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals. They may work in a variety of settings, such as law firms, government agencies, and corporations. This course would be helpful for Legal Researchers because it provides a deep understanding of the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as jury trials and judge-made law, which are essential for Legal Researchers to know in order to be successful in their field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Researcher

Barrister

Barristers are lawyers who represent clients in court. They may also provide advice on legal issues, but they do not typically handle the day-to-day legal work that Solicitors do. This course would be helpful for Barristers because it provides a deep understanding of the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as jury trials and judge-made law, which are essential for Barristers to know in order to be successful in court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Barrister

Legal Executive

Legal Executives are lawyers who work under the supervision of Solicitors. They may handle a variety of legal tasks, such as drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and representing clients in court. This course would be helpful for Legal Executives because it provides a broad overview of the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Legal Executives to understand in order to effectively assist their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Executive

Paralegal

Paralegals are legal professionals who work under the supervision of lawyers. They may perform a variety of legal tasks, such as drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and representing clients in court. This course would be helpful for Paralegals because it provides a broad overview of the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Paralegals to understand in order to effectively assist their superiors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paralegal

Law Librarian

Law Librarians manage and maintain law libraries. They may also provide reference and research assistance to lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals. This course would be helpful for Law Librarians because it provides a solid foundation in the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Law Librarians to understand in order to effectively assist their patrons.

See salaries and explore the career path for Law Librarian

Solicitor

Solicitors are lawyers who advise clients on legal issues and represent them in court. They may work in private practice, for a government agency, or for a corporation. This course would be helpful for Solicitors because it provides a solid foundation in the English common law system, which is the basis of the legal systems in many countries around the world. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Solicitors to understand in order to effectively represent their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solicitor

Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers ensure that their organizations comply with applicable laws and regulations. They may work in a variety of industries, such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This course would be helpful for Compliance Officers because it provides a solid foundation in the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Compliance Officers to understand in order to effectively ensure that their organizations comply with the law.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and control projects. They may work in a variety of industries, such as construction, engineering, and information technology. This course would be helpful for Project Managers because it provides a solid foundation in the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Project Managers to understand in order to effectively plan, execute, and control projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Government Relations Specialist

Government Relations Specialists represent the interests of their clients before government agencies. They may work for corporations, non-profit organizations, or trade associations. This course would be helpful for Government Relations Specialists because it provides a deep understanding of the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Government Relations Specialists to understand in order to effectively represent their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Government Relations Specialist

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and systems to identify opportunities for improvement. They may work in a variety of industries, such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This course would be helpful for Business Analysts because it provides a solid foundation in the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Business Analysts to understand in order to effectively analyze business processes and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to clients on a variety of topics. They may work in a variety of industries, such as management consulting, financial consulting, and information technology consulting. This course would be helpful for Consultants because it provides a solid foundation in the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Consultants to understand in order to effectively advise their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and manage risks for their organizations. They may work in a variety of industries, such as finance, insurance, and healthcare. This course would be helpful for Risk Managers because it provides a deep understanding of the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Risk Managers to understand in order to effectively manage risks for their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and evaluate public policies. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations. This course would be helpful for Policy Analysts because it provides a deep understanding of the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Policy Analysts to understand in order to develop and evaluate effective public policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Legal Assistant

Legal Assistants provide administrative and legal support to lawyers and other legal professionals. They may perform a variety of tasks, such as filing legal documents, conducting legal research, and preparing legal briefs. This course would be helpful for Legal Assistants because it provides a solid foundation in the English common law system and the principles that underlie it. The course also covers topics such as parliamentary sovereignty and due process, which are important for Legal Assistants to understand in order to effectively support their superiors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Assistant

Reading list

We've selected 17 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in English Common Law: Structure and Principles.

Principles of Contract at Law and in Equity

Save

First published in 1896, this book remains a foundational text on the nature and history of the common law, focusing on its development in England. Essential reading for understanding the historical evolution of the common law.

English Common Law

Structure and Principles

Two deals to help you save

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Enjoyable introduction to english common law

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses