1. Understanding the Law

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 some of the major functions of law; and the concept of regulation, which extends our understanding of law to forms of delegated legislation and ‘soft’ law and case law as it is developed by the courts. The chapter also discusses Parliament and legislation; the structure and role of the courts; the importance of procedural law; English law and the European Convention on Human Rights; and English law and the European Union.