How to Research English Common Law

Researching English common law involves delving into a rich tapestry of judicial decisions and legal principles that have developed over centuries. Unlike civil law systems, which rely heavily on codified statutes, common law evolves through the outcomes of individual cases. Effective research in this area requires navigating various legal resources and understanding the hierarchical structure of judicial decisions. 

First, you need to understand the hierarchy of courts. The decisions of higher courts, such as the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Court of Appeal, are binding on lower courts. Familiarising yourself with this hierarchy helps you identify which decisions carry the most authority. The Supreme Court, as the highest appellate court, sets binding precedents for all lower courts. The Court of Appeal and the High Court also produce significant and influential decisions.

Finding relevant cases is a critical part of common law research. Legal databases like Westlaw UK, LexisNexis UK, and BAILII (British and Irish Legal Information Institute) provide access to a comprehensive repository of case law. You can search these databases using keywords, legal topics, or case citations. Once you identify a pertinent case, review its headnotes and summaries to grasp the key legal principles addressed. Check the cases cited within the decision to discover additional relevant precedents.

Legal digests and encyclopaedias are indispensable tools for common law research. Resources like the Halsbury's Laws of England provide detailed overviews of legal topics, including key cases and statutes. Legal digests categorise case law into specific legal issues, making it easier to locate relevant cases. These resources help build a solid understanding of the legal framework surrounding your issue.

Even though common law is primarily based on judicial decisions, statutes and regulations play a crucial role. It is essential to identify and analyse relevant statutes to understand the legislative framework within which courts operate. Annotated statutes, which include case summaries and references to related laws, are particularly useful in linking statutory law with case law.

Once you have identified relevant cases, the next step is to read and interpret them. Focus on the court's opinion, paying close attention to the legal reasoning and principles applied. Identify the holding, which is the court's decision on the legal issue, and the dicta, which are comments that are not essential to the decision but provide insight into the court's thinking. Understanding the reasoning behind a decision is crucial for applying the case to your legal issue and predicting how future courts might rule.

Legal research is an ongoing process, and it is essential to ensure that the cases you rely on are still good law. Use citators like KeyCite on Westlaw and CaseSearch on LexisNexis to track the history of a case and see how it has been treated by subsequent courts. These tools indicate whether a case has been overturned, reaffirmed, or cited with approval, ensuring that your research remains current and accurate.

Secondary sources, such as law review articles, treatises, and legal commentaries, provide deeper insights into common law issues. These sources analyse and critique judicial decisions, provide context, and often suggest how courts may address unresolved legal questions. They also lead you to key cases and statutes that you might have overlooked.

In the digital age, online resources and technology significantly enhance common law research. Websites like BAILII offer free access to a wealth of legal information, including court opinions and statutes. Legal research software with AI capabilities, such as Lexis Analytics, can streamline the research process by quickly identifying relevant cases and legal principles. Government websites and law libraries also provide valuable resources for accessing case law and legal materials.

Researching English common law requires a methodical approach and familiarity with a variety of legal resources. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to conduct thorough and effective common law research. This process not only helps in understanding the current legal landscape but also in predicting how future legal issues may be resolved.