This OpenLearn course introduces you to the different sources of law in England and Wales. The course begins by providing an overview of the different sources of law. It then considers what is meant by democracy and how and by whom proposed legislation is initiated, before introducing you to the Westminster Parliament, which creates legislation. It is within this Parliament that proposed legislation – known as a Bill – is considered and becomes law.
In this course different forms of legislation are introduced, such as statutes and statutory instruments (otherwise known as delegated legislation), together with the reasons why certain powers are delegated and how this legislative system operates. Section 8 of this course provides you with a further opportunity to learn about devolution and the developments that have taken place in Wales. It outlines the devolvement (transfer) of powers from the Westminster Parliament to the Welsh Assembly (The Senedd). As this course concentrates on England and Wales, the primary focus when dealing with devolution is on Wales.
The course develops your research and critical thinking skills by introducing you to different forms of legislation. The activities included in this course provide you with an opportunity to locate an Act of Parliament and consider the layout (structure) of a statute. You will consider how legislation controls certain types of behaviour or social interaction in society, such as excluding certain liability in contract law or imposing liability for certain types of anti-social behaviour.
This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course W101An introduction to law.
