Statute law (Acts of Parliament)

Law that has been passed by Parliament and written into Acts of Parliament. It is legally binding and must be followed by courts.

Common law (precedent)

Law created through judicial precedent, meaning decisions made by judges in court cases (e.g. Supreme Court rulings). These decisions are then followed in future similar cases.

This makes judges the ‘guardians’ of law.

Conventions

Unwritten rules or traditions that guide how the constitution works. They are politically binding but not legally enforceable (e.g. a Prime Minister resigning after losing a vote of no confidence).

Authoritative works

Books written by respected judges or constitutional experts (such as Erskine May) that explain and clarify how the constitution operates. They are not legally binding and serve as guidance only.