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1066
Conquest of England
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Period: 1180 to 1220
Court of common pleas created in the late 12th to early 13th century
12th Century Judges were sent to shires -
1189
Henry II death
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1275
Statute of Westminister
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1278
Statute of Gloucester interpretation
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Period: 1400 to 1500
The court of chancery was developed
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1500
The statute law was created
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1533
Henry VIII forms the Church of England (ANGLICANS) , dissolving the Catholic church and severing the country's ties with The Pope
This gives the King huge amounts of 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. -
1534
Henry VII. Legally made King head of Church.
Required leading citizens to swear on Oath of Supremacy recognising his new powers. Exectuted Lord Chancellor Thomas Moore, refused to acknowledge King as head of Church
16 century the statute law was created
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"In case of a conflict between law and equity, equity will rule ".
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Charles I petitioned King from raising taxes
Charles I, precursor to Bill of Rights, petitioned King from raising taxes without Parliament's consent -
Habeas Corpus First Act to enshrine rights of accused people after arrest.
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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. -
Bill of Rights
William III and Mary II. Guaranteed rights and powers of Parliament and also protected personal liberties. England became constitutional monarchy -
Period: to
The British Empire breaks apart.
(19th to 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. -
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 of law. -
All the courts become one
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Constitucional Monarchy
20th Century -
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 long way to making justice widely available. -
Britain Joins the European Union.
In doing so it surrenders Parliamentary sovereignty to Brussels which basically means that in certain areas the UK must follow the laws of the EU or leave the Union. -
Role of Lord Chancellor changed to Secretary of State for Justice
transferring the role from a Lords' to Commons' position. -
The House of Lords ceases to exist as a Court
The House of Lords ceases to exist as a Court and is replaced with the Supreme court which is the same in all but name. -
The U.K. holds a referendum on whether to leave the European Union.
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The referendum result is announced
with 52 percent of voters choosing to leave the bloc. David Cameron resigns as prime minister and the pound plunges to a three-decade low. The Bank of England says it’s ready to support the financial system.
