Introduction to English Common Law from Coursera

The common law of England and Wales is one of the major global legal traditions.

This MOOC will give you an introduction to this influential legal system including its history, constitutional background, sources and institutions. You’ll learn about the different ways in which laws are made and interpreted, the English court system and the increasing importance of European Union and human rights law. Now is an especially exciting time to be learning about English common law, given the potential changes that lie ahead in today’s political, economic and social environment – all these pose challenges to and opportunities for the law.

Each week we’ll focus on one aspect of English common law, using video lectures, readings, discussion questions and activities to enable you to learn about and evaluate key issues. Whether undertaken as a standalone course, or as preparation for the University of London’s world-class LLB degree, you will find this course interesting and stimulating.

Please note that participation in or completion of this online course will not confer academic credit for University of London programmes.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week One | Introduction to the English Legal System

Welcome to the first week of the course. Week 1 is an overview of the English legal system. We will consider the history of the common law, and look at what it means to say that English law is a common law system. We will also explore some important themes in common law.

Week Two | Constitutional Principles of the English Legal System

Welcome to the second week of the course. This week will introduce you to the British Constitution and identify its sources. Week 2 will also look at the fundamental constitutional principles which underpin the English Legal System.

Week Three | The Court System

Welcome to the third week of the course. This week we'll look at how the court system works in England. We'll think about different courts in the system, and also other methods of resolving legal disputes.

Week Four | Statutes

Welcome to the fourth week of the course. This week will introduce you to statutes or Acts of Parliament, one of the most important sources of English law. Week 4 will cover how statutes are made and the different ways they are interpreted by the courts. You'll also consider whether statutes should be simplified.

Week Five | Case Law

Welcome to the fifth week of the course. This week we'll explore another key source of English law, case law. You'll be introduced to the doctrine of judicial precedent and the question of judges as law-makers. You'll have the opportunity to read a case yourself and write a case-note.

Week Six | The European Union, European Convention on Human Rights and Human Rights Act 1998

Welcome to the sixth and final week of the course. This week will introduce you to the European Union and to the European Convention on Human Rights. Week 6 will also consider the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the English Legal System. Although the UK is no longer a member of the European Union and EU law does not have the same impact on English law as it did previously, it will almost certainly contain to exert an influence for some time. It is also interesting to consider the previous effect of EU law on English law, and the relationship to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a foundational introduction to English Common law, which is suitable if your knowledge of this subject is minimal

Introduces The British Constitution, which is an essential foundation for your knowledge of English Common Law

Assumes no prior knowledge of the intricacies of the Court system and is structured very well for beginners

Takes a practical approach to imparting knowledge of Statutes and how they are interpreted, making it easy for learners to grasp these important concepts

Puts an emphasis on enabling learners to develop a practical understanding of the doctrine of judicial precedent. This is critical for understanding the English legal system

Taught by two experienced instructors who have a proven track record in the field of English Common Law

Reviews summary

Introduction to english common law

Learners say that this course on English Common Law is well received. The course is structured with readings, assignments, and quizzes to help you learn foundational concepts in an engaging way, such as lectures, readings, exams, and homework assignments. There is a focus on the following topics: sources of English law, judicial hierarchy, doctrine of case law, the European Union, and the Human Rights Act of 1998. Many students found the course to be comprehensive and well-organized. The instructors are thorough and accessible. They present clear explanations and provide helpful examples.Students highly recommend this course to those interested in pursuing a law degree or career in law.

The lectures are well-produced and informative, providing a clear overview of the material.

"The videos were short yet informative, and the lecturers did a good job of explaining the content well."

"I sometimes found some questions form the end of week quizzes a bit too absurd, but that's a minor issue."

"The presentations were good and clear, an delivered at a manageable pace."

Instructors in this course are praised for their clear and engaging explanations of complex legal concepts.

"Both the instructors are very thorough and yet, very accessible."

"The course layout is good and the quiz and assignment makes us appreciate more of the content and subject."

"The videos were short yet informative, and the lecturers did a good job of explaining the content well."

The course has a well-organized and logical structure, with a mix of lectures, readings, and activities that reinforce learning.

"The course is very complete, in the sense that it teaches what is due (sources of law, judicial organization, etc)."

"The content was presented clearly, and was well structured; from simple to more complicated, and with options to delve deeper into the subjects."

"A very well structured course that allows you to make an interesting first "dive" into English law."

Learners largely agree that this is an engaging and well-structured course that provides a comprehensive introduction to English Common Law.

"I found this course to be extremely helpful and also interesting."

"This is a really interesting and well structured course that is easy to manage in bitesize parts."

"This is an excellent course created and taught by two knowledgeable and personable tutors."

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 Introduction to English Common Law with these activities:

Solve Case Analysis Exercises

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Strengthen your analytical skills by completing exercises that involve analyzing and interpreting legal cases.

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Obtain a set of case analysis exercises.
Read the cases carefully and identify the key facts.
Apply your understanding of legal principles to analyze the cases.
Write out your analysis, including the reasoning and conclusions.

Review Blackstone's Commentaries

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Review a classic text on English law to gain a deeper understanding of its historical foundations and evolution.

View Commentaries on the Laws of England on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of Blackstone's Commentaries.
Read selected chapters relevant to the course.
Summarize the key concepts and principles discussed.
Identify the historical context and significance of the text.

Follow Tutorials on EU Law and Human Rights

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Enhance your understanding of EU law and human rights through online tutorials provided by experts.

Browse courses on Human Rights

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Identify reputable websites or platforms offering tutorials.
Select tutorials that cover relevant topics.
Complete the tutorials and take notes.
Participate in discussions or forums related to the tutorials (optional).

Three other activities

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Create a Legal Research Guide

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Develop a comprehensive guide to assist with researching and navigating the vast body of English legal materials.

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Identify the key types of legal sources.
Explore online databases and libraries.
Develop a structured approach to legal research.
Compile a list of resources and tools.
Review the guide with a legal professional or tutor for feedback (optional).

Draft a Mock Court Judgment

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Apply your knowledge of English law and legal principles by drafting a mock judgment in a hypothetical case.

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Select a legal issue or scenario.
Research the relevant laws and precedents.
Draft the judgment, including the legal reasoning and conclusions.
Review and edit the judgment to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Record a Podcast on a Legal Topic

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Create an engaging podcast to present a legal concept or issue in a clear and accessible manner.

Browse courses on Human Rights

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Choose a specific topic to focus on.
Research and gather information.
Write a script or outline.
Record the podcast using a microphone and software.
Edit the audio and upload it to a platform.

Career center

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

Legal Assistant

Legal Assistants perform a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to support lawyers and other legal professionals. The primary responsibility of a Legal Assistant is to provide efficient and accurate administrative support, which commonly includes preparing legal documents, managing case files, organizing legal research, and scheduling appointments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Assistant

Legal Consultant

Legal Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses and organizations regarding legal matters. They analyze legal issues, interpret laws, and help clients develop strategies to address legal challenges. This course will provide you with a strong understanding of the English legal system, which will assist you in providing informed advice to your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Consultant

Paralegal

Paralegals provide legal assistance to attorneys and law firms, performing a variety of tasks such as legal research, document preparation, and assisting with case management. A deep understanding of the English legal system, which you will gain from this course, is essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paralegal

Solicitor

Solicitors are legal professionals who provide legal advice and representation to individuals and organizations. As a Solicitor, you will need to have a comprehensive understanding of the English legal system, which this course will provide you with. You will also be able to develop the skills necessary to provide effective legal advice and representation.

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Barrister

Barristers are legal professionals who specialize in courtroom advocacy. They represent clients in court and provide legal advice on complex legal matters. A thorough understanding of the English legal system, which this course provides, is essential for Barristers.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and evaluate policies and programs to advise governments, businesses, and organizations.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers ensure that organizations comply with laws, regulations, and ethical standards. They develop and implement compliance programs, conduct risk assessments, and investigate potential compliance violations.

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Regulatory Affairs Manager

Regulatory Affairs Managers oversee regulatory compliance for products and services, ensuring that they meet all applicable laws and regulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Regulatory Affairs Manager

Government Relations Manager

Government Relations Managers represent organizations before government agencies and elected officials to influence policy decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Government Relations Manager

Legal Editor

Legal Editors review and edit legal documents, ensuring that they are accurate, clear, and compliant with legal requirements. They may also research legal issues and write legal articles and summaries.

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Legal Researcher

Legal Researchers conduct legal research on behalf of attorneys, law firms, and other legal professionals.

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Mediator

Mediators facilitate negotiations and help resolve disputes between parties. They may work in a variety of settings, such as law firms, courts, and community organizations.

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Arbitrator

Arbitrators resolve disputes outside of the court system, acting as a neutral third party to hear evidence and make a binding decision.

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Contract Manager

Contract Managers oversee the negotiation, drafting, and management of contracts for organizations. They ensure that contracts are legally compliant and aligned with the organization's goals.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate risks for organizations. They develop and implement risk management strategies to protect the organization from potential threats and liabilities.

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