The four main sources of English law are legislation, common law, European Union law, and human rights law.
Legislation refers to the laws that are passed by Parliament and include acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, and bylaws. Acts of Parliament are the primary source of legislation and are passed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Statutory instruments are secondary legislation that are made by government departments and agencies under the authority of an act of Parliament. Bylaws are local laws that are made by local authorities such as councils and apply only to the specific area in which they are made.
Common law is another important source of English law and refers to the principles and rules that have developed over time through the decisions of courts. These principles and rules are based on the precedent set by previous cases, which means that the decisions of higher courts bind lower courts and must be followed in similar cases. Common law is also known as case law or judge-made law.
European Union law is another source of English law, as the United Kingdom is a member of the European Union. European Union law includes the treaties and regulations that are made by the European Union and apply to member states. In the event of a conflict between national law and European Union law, European Union law takes precedence.
Human rights law is the fourth main source of English law and includes the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. The European Convention on Human Rights is a treaty that was drawn up by the Council of Europe and protects the human rights of individuals in European countries. The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights into English law and allows individuals to bring claims in domestic courts for breaches of their human rights.
In conclusion, the four main sources of English law are legislation, common law, European Union law, and human rights law. These sources work together to ensure that the law is fair and effective in protecting the rights and interests of individuals and society as a whole.