Where UK law comes from
Not all law is written by Parliament — some of it has been built up by judges' decisions stretching back centuries.
Part of your national curriculum
- Law and justice: Understand the legal system in the UK, different sources of law and how the law helps society deal with complex problems
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the legal system in the UK, different sources of law and how the law helps society deal with complex problems
Key learning points
- • Statute law
- • Common law and precedent
- • Other sources of law
This lesson at a glance
- 28 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
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Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Where UK law comes from
Not all law is written by Parliament — some of it has been built up by judges' decisions stretching back centuries.
In a nutshell
Understand the legal system in the UK, different sources of law and how the law helps society deal with complex problems
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Statute law
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Statute law
Statute law, or Acts of Parliament, is written law passed by the House of Commons and House of Lords, then given royal assent. It can create entirely new laws or amend existing ones, such as changing the age for buying certain products.
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Part 4 of 17
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Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
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Part 5 of 17
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Common law and precedent
Common law develops through judges' decisions in court cases over time. When a judge rules on a new or unclear situation, that ruling can become a precedent that future courts follow in similar cases.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
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Part 8 of 17
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Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Other sources of law
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
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Part 10 of 17
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Other sources of law
UK law is also shaped by retained EU law from before Brexit, and by international treaties the UK has signed. Together, these sources allow the legal system to adapt as society changes and new problems, like online crime, emerge.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
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Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Together, these sources allow the legal ____ to adapt as society changes and new problems, like online crime, emerge.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
What is another name for statute law?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Where UK law comes from
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What is another name for statute law?
2. How does common law develop?
3. Why does the UK legal system need multiple sources of law?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand the legal system in the UK, different sources of law and how the law helps society deal with complex problems