Legal Definitions - lex Angliae

Lex Angliae is a Latin term that historically refers to the law of England. It specifically denotes the common law system that developed in England, characterized by judge-made law and the principle of precedent, distinguishing it from other legal traditions such as Roman civil law.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of Lex Angliae:

• Imagine a medieval English court in the 13th century hearing a dispute over property boundaries. The judges would apply Lex Angliae, meaning they would base their decision on established customs, previous rulings by royal courts, and the developing body of common law, rather than on local feudal customs or principles derived from Roman law.

• A legal historian might analyze how the unique development of Lex Angliae shaped the English constitution, contrasting it with the legal frameworks of continental European nations. This comparison would highlight how England's legal system evolved independently, relying on judicial decisions and parliamentary statutes rather than a codified civil law tradition.

• When discussing the foundational legal principles of former British colonies, such as the United States or Australia, one could explain that their initial legal systems were largely inherited from Lex Angliae. This means that concepts like trial by jury, habeas corpus, and the adversarial system of justice have their roots in the historical law of England.