UK law and resources

t31os · 7 Oct 2008 at 03:41

Hi,

I'd like to ask how people would typically go about finding information on law or laws relating to the UK.

As far as i can tell there's no 'list' just readily available for people to view and read as they choose.

So my question...

How do you find the specifics and information on any given law without spending numerous hours trawling the web or on the phone?

Is there an easy way?

NOTES: I've not broken any, nor do i intend to, i simply wish to read and learn, but i'd like to use an accurate source to learn. Out of curiousity more then anything else. This must be the most 'out of the norm' question i've posted on this forum, so go easy on me....

bushmins · 7 Oct 2008 at 03:45

Go to the library, look for big old dusty books.

Most of the current laws in the UK are still the same as 200 years ago. The age when the 'rule of thumb' law refered to the thickness of a stick you could beat your wife with.

t31os · 7 Oct 2008 at 03:48

So will the library typically keep books filled with laws?...

Is this something i should ask for. I don't want to end up reading someone's enterpretation of law(s), but an actual account of the laws as they are.

Not something i've looked into before, so please forgive my ignorance...

bushmins · 7 Oct 2008 at 03:57

You probably need to go to a Central Library. Like the one in Southampton Civic centre (But in your home town).

t31os · 7 Oct 2008 at 04:43

Ok, we have a decent library in Woking so i'll pop in and ask.

Thanks for the advice mate.

Andy100 · 7 Oct 2008 at 04:51

http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/

Might be of some help.

t31os · 7 Oct 2008 at 04:54

Looks great, i'll check it out...

Thank you...

J.B · 7 Oct 2008 at 10:43

I used to work for a team that trained probation officers, we used http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts.htm a lot to discuss the government passing new laws and things.

Rich_L · 7 Oct 2008 at 10:54

For the actual laws themselves:

UK Statute Law Database

BAILII for reading Judgments and how those laws are interpreted by the Courts

semi-pro waster · 7 Oct 2008 at 11:01

If you know someone with a Westlaw subscription then you can read the caselaw, your local library may have one. LexusNexus has a lot of legal articles and may have some of the cases although not as comprehensively as Westlaw from my experience.

Many of the better (larger) libraries will have a selection of compilations of caselaw and some may have some of the statutes although to keep all is a huge (and somewhat foolhardy) task.

Don't underestimate the views of respected writers on the law in your search, interpretation is very important and with no disrespect intended, they may well have a better idea of how to apply the law in regard to previous decisions than you will without having any experience of the law up to now. Don't take their word as gospel automatically and some are obviously better than others but don't discount them too quickly either.

singist · 7 Oct 2008 at 12:33

bushmins said:
Go to the library, look for big old dusty books.

Most of the current laws in the UK are still the same as 200 years ago. The age when the 'rule of thumb' law refered to the thickness of a stick you could beat your wife with.

There has never been such a law as you refer to at any time.

t31os · 7 Oct 2008 at 17:20

Thanks all...