Devolution
Various responsibilities have been devolved from the central British government and Parliament at Westminster to the regions of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Devolution has happened at different times and to differing degrees in each region, and it is important to remember that most British law applies to the entire country.
For more on the judicial systems in each region, see the Supreme Court's guide.
UK map
Wales
Limited powers were devolved to the Welsh Assembly and Government in 1998.
The court system and vast majority of English legislation (see United Kingdom current tab) apply to Wales.
- legislation.gov.uk : WalesOfficial versions of Welsh acts, measures, and regulations.
- Welsh ParliamentDebates, bills, legislation, and other Welsh Parliament information.
- Welsh GovernmentGovernment agencies and publications.
- Researching Applicable Law in Wales – What is Unique in Wales?Introduction to researching applicable law in Wales, with a brief overview of the development of the Welsh legal system.
Scotland
A wide range of competencies have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament and Government, and the Scottish Court system is separate from the system for England and Wales. Many English statutes apply in Scotland, but statutes relevant only to Scotland are passed by the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.
In general, Scottish legal treatises are cataloged under KDC.
The Law Library holds historic Scottish case law in the Sub-basement in range 21 - 22. Many additional primary sources of Scottish legal history are reprinted in the publications of the Stair Society. An Introductory Survey of the Sources and Literature of Scots Law (No. 1) and Introduction to Scottish Legal History (No. 20) are good starting places for a study of historic Scots law.
- British and Irish Legal Information Institute: BAILIIConsolidates freely available case law from across the country.
- legislation.gov.uk : ScotlandOfficial versions of Acts and regulations.
- Scottish Courts and TribunalsInformation about the courts, current business, selected judgments, practice notes, and rules of court.
- The Scottish ParliamentProvides debates, bills, committee reports, legislation, and other Parliamentary materials.
- Baron Hume's lectures, 1786-1822 byCall Number: KDC 180 .H8 B37Publication Date: 1939-1958Reprint of ancient Scottish legal treatises that have "institutional" authority and are considered part of the common law.
- The institutions of the law of Scotland deduced from its originals, and collated with the civil, canon, and feudal laws, and with the customs of neighbouring nations byPublication Date: 1832Microform copy of an ancient Scottish legal treatise that has "institutional" authority and is considered part of the common law.
Northern Ireland
The powers devolved to the Northern Irish Assembly and Government are not as extensive as those devolved to Scotland.
The unique history of Northern Ireland can make research complicated. Although devolution of powers began in 1998, they were suspended from 2002-2007 when all powers were once again centralized at Westminster.
The court system of Northern Ireland is also separate from the system in England and Wales.
- legislation.gov.uk : Northern IrelandOfficial versions of Northern Irish Acts, measures, orders, rules, and regulations.
- nidirect government informationNorthern Ireland Government agency information and publications.
- Northern Ireland AssemblyDebates, bills, legislation, committee reports, and other Assembly information.
- Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals ServiceCourt information, rules, and decisions.
Ireland
Ireland is a separate country from the United Kingdom. For information and resources related to Irish law see our Foreign Law guide (link below).