ACCA LW GLO Chapter 1: Political & Legal Systems, Sources of Law and International Organisations: quick revision, 25 bites

Three Legal Systems Rule the World

Every country runs on one of three legal systems.

The chapter identifies **three broad legal systems** that govern how law is made and applied across the world.

Takeaway. Knowing which system a country uses tells you whether judges or codes dominate the law.

Separation of Powers: Three Arms of Government

Three arms, three jobs — never mix them.

The principle that these powers should be **separate** is called the separation of powers.

Takeaway. Legislature makes, executive implements, judiciary interprets — each arm has a distinct role.

US vs UK: Two Ways to Separate Power

Same principle, two very different designs.

Takeaway. The US separates powers rigidly; the UK fuses executive and legislature under parliamentary sovereignty.

Criminal vs Civil Law: The Big Divide

One punishes, the other compensates.

Takeaway. Criminal law punishes on behalf of the State; civil law compensates between private parties.

Judicial Review: Not About Being Right

Courts check power, not correctness.

Judicial review starts when an individual claims a public body has acted **illegally or ultra vires** (outside its powers).

Takeaway. Judicial review is about legality and procedure, not the merits of the decision.

How an Act of Parliament Is Made

From Bill to Royal Assent in four steps.

Only when **all four steps** are complete does the Bill become an Act.

Takeaway. Both Houses plus Royal Assent are required before a Bill becomes law.

Delegated Legislation: Five Types

Parliament can't do it all — so it delegates.

Takeaway. Delegated legislation saves Parliamentary time by letting authorised bodies make detailed rules.

Judicial Precedent: Binding vs Persuasive

Some past decisions must be followed.

Takeaway. Precedent binds only when the law, facts and court hierarchy all line up.

Rules of Statutory Interpretation

Four rules judges use to read statutes.

Takeaway. Each rule is a different lens — the case name is your exam anchor.

Fisher v Bell: The Flick-Knife Display

A price tag is not an offer.

Takeaway. Literal rule can produce surprising results — but the words are still followed.

Two Latin Maxims You Must Know

Two Latin phrases, two interpretation rules.

Takeaway. These maxims help judges decide whether a word fits the class the statute intended.

Common Law vs Civil Law: Judges' Role

One creates law, the other applies it.

Takeaway. Common law judges shape law; civil law judges apply a pre-written code.

Sharia Law: Sources and Limits on Interpretation

Divine law — interpretation is tightly bounded.

Takeaway. Sharia judges apply the law; interpretation is limited because the law is ordained by Allah.

Qiyas in Action: Alcohol and Drugs

Same effect, same rule — by analogy.

Takeaway. Qiyas is reasoning by analogy — it extends rules, it does not invent them.

Public vs Private International Law

One is between nations, one is domestic.

Takeaway. Private international law is domestic law that decides which country's law applies.

Constance and Dimitri: When Laws Conflict

Two countries, two answers, one lost deal.

Takeaway. Conflict of laws is why international traders need agreed codes like the UNCCISG.

Key International Organisations at a Glance

Five bodies, five jobs in global trade.

Takeaway. Each body has a distinct mandate — match the organisation to its function in exam questions.

WTO Dispute Settlement: Step by Step

From panel to appeal to enforcement.

The **General Council** acts as the Dispute Settlement Body when dealing with disputes.

Takeaway. The Appellate Body (7 members, 3 per case) can uphold, modify or reverse panel findings.

Brexit and Retained EU Law

One date changed UK law forever.

Takeaway. Retained EU law preserved directly-applicable EU rules in UK law after Brexit.

Don't Confuse Judicial Review with Appeal

Review checks power — not correctness.

Takeaway. Judicial review = legality and procedure. Appeal = merits. Keep them separate.

Precedent Exam Clue: Match Facts and Hierarchy

Two checks before precedent binds.

If either check fails, the precedent is at most **persuasive**, not binding.

Takeaway. Materially same facts + superior court = binding precedent.

Remember the Four Interpretation Rules

L-G-M-P: four lenses on a statute.

Takeaway. L-G-M-P: Literal, Golden, Mischief, Purposive — in that order of escalation.

The UK Has an Unwritten Constitution

No single document — just centuries of rules.

The UK's key constitutional rules have **not been formally collected into one enactment**. They have developed over centuries — which is why the UK is often described as having an **unwritten constitution**.

Takeaway. An unwritten constitution still binds — it is just not codified in one document.

UK Courts Cannot Strike Down Acts

Parliament is sovereign — courts can't veto.

Takeaway. Parliamentary sovereignty is the key UK–US constitutional difference.

Why International Law Matters to Business

Cross-border deals need shared rules.

As countries trade internationally, differences in **legal, economic and political systems** make it hard to agree terms. This has increased interest in international law — especially for international commercial transactions.

Takeaway. International conventions give traders a shared rulebook instead of relying only on domestic law.