Legal Definitions - leges Angliae

Leges Angliae is a Latin term that translates to the laws of England. Historically, it was used to specifically identify the unique legal system that evolved within England, distinguishing it from other legal traditions, particularly the Roman civil law that influenced many parts of continental Europe. It encompasses the common law developed by English courts, statutes enacted by Parliament, and principles of equity, all forming the distinct body of legal rules and principles governing England.

• Example 1: Historical Legal Scholarship

  A legal historian researching the evolution of constitutional monarchy might compare the powers of the monarch in England versus those in France during the 17th century. They would explain that the English monarch's authority was increasingly constrained by parliamentary statutes and common law principles, which collectively represent the leges Angliae. This contrasts with the absolute monarchies on the continent, whose powers were often rooted in different legal traditions or Roman law concepts of imperial authority. The historian uses leges Angliae to highlight the distinct legal framework that shaped English governance.

• Example 2: International Business Contracts

  Imagine two companies, one based in London and another in New York, drafting a complex commercial agreement for a joint venture. To ensure clarity and predictability in case of a dispute, they include a clause stating that the contract shall be "governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England." This means that if any disagreement arises, an English court (or an arbitrator applying English law) would interpret the contract using the leges Angliae—the specific statutes, common law precedents, and legal principles that constitute the English legal system—rather than the laws of New York or any other jurisdiction.

• Example 3: Comparative Legal Studies

  A university professor teaching a course on comparative legal systems might discuss how different countries approach intellectual property rights. When explaining the concept of copyright protection in the United Kingdom, the professor would detail the specific statutes (like the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988) and judicial interpretations that define these rights. In this context, the professor is describing the application of the leges Angliae to intellectual property, illustrating how England's approach might differ from, say, the copyright laws of Germany or the United States, which are rooted in their own distinct legal traditions.