British Legal System Timeline

Celtic Britain
Before the Roman conquest, Britain was divided into many small nations and
tribes. The law of these places would be kept by the local rulers or holy men
such as druids. Many were superstitious and actions such as trial by combat
were used, if the accused won it was seen that the gods were showing him
innocent by his victory. Laws were passed by word of mouth and very cultural
rather than there being any set system of law as we know it.

600AD
During this time Britain is largely controlled by Rome. The Romans are
considered the founders of law and many of the expressions we use today com
from them. They would have a Senate who would create laws that would affec
the Empire and order was kept by the local governors and prefects who would
enforce law and pass out punishment.

1066
Britain is conquered by the Normans who bring many new laws and customs t
the country. One of the most important is the idea of land and property. They
create the ‘Doomsday Book’ a record of who and what is owned by everyone i
the country. During this time, although the King and Treasury were in London,
courts of the country and the “Sheriffs” would travel around, staying wherever
they thought was suitable at the time. In time the judges were given routes the
must follow; even today we often refer to some judges as ‘circuit judges’. The
time when a judge would be in town was often known as ‘assize’ and the judge
would go through the jails sentencing people. It could be that a suspect would
have to wait in prison for months until the next assize to find out if he was guilt
or innocent.

1215
The nobles of England force the King to sign the ‘Magna Carta’ or ‘Great
Charter’. This was a document which took power from the King and gave som
of it to the nobles and people. It meant that if the King broke the law he could b
held accountable to his people. The most important aspect of the document w
the right to due process; that no innocent man may be condemned without fair
trial by his peers.

1533
Henry VIII forms the Church of England, dissolving the Catholic church and
severing the country's ties with The Pope. This gives the King huge amounts o
power and control in a country which had always seen the King as below the
Pope and a church which carries equal weight with the state.

1651
The English Civil War replaces the King and makes Parliament all powerful.
Although King Charles II eventually restores the monarchy it is recognised now
that it is Parliament and not the crown which runs the country.

17th and 18th Centuries

The legal profession as we know it takes shape. The legal profession has long
been in possession of certain lands in London which it has claimed since the
collapse of the Knights Templar a few hundred years before. The fashion of
wearing powdered wigs takes off and is retained by the courts even when the
rest of the country stops. Similarly the tradition of wearing black after the death
various monarchs such as Charles II remains . At this point Barristers are the
dominant legal professionals; very few people are solicitors who are seen as a
lower class of lawyer.

1840
Courts of Equity and Common law combined. Equity will continue to be a
headache for law students and professionals , despite the decline of the form o
law.
19th and 20th centuries
Due to dramatic changes in the world and recent conflicts including two world
wars, the British Empire breaks apart. In its time over 100 countries including
Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and South Africa were ruled by the UK and
continue to use similar legal systems. 52 countries exist even today in the
commonwealth, a collection of countries with similar institutions and values.

1949
Legal Aid and Advice Act makes funding available for individuals to pursue
claims in court paid for by the state. This is not an automatic right but goes a lo
way to making justice widely available.

1973
Britain Joins the European Union. In doing so it surrenders Parliamentary
sovereignty to Brussels which basically means that in certain areas the UK mu
follow the laws of the EU or leave the Union.

2005
Role of Lord Chancellor changed to Secretary of State for Justice, transferring
the role from a Lords' to Commons' position.

2009
The House of Lords ceases to exist as a Court and is replaced with the Suprem
court which is the same in all but name.