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Law

Using Halsbury's Laws

Halsbury's Laws of England is a comprehensive legal encyclopedia that covers virtually every aspect of English law. It's a trusted and authoritative resource for legal professionals, academics, and law students alike, and holds a unique distinction: it's the only secondary source that can be cited in court.

What does Halsbury's contain?

  • In-depth legal analysis: Each topic is covered in detail, providing clear explanations of legal principles, relevant case law, and statutory provisions.
  • Historical context: Halsbury's traces the development of the law over time, giving you a deeper understanding of how legal principles have evolved.
  • Cross-references: Extensive cross-referencing allows you to easily navigate between related topics and find relevant information quickly.
  • Regular updates: Halsbury's is regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation and case law, ensuring that you have access to the most current legal information.

Why is Halsbury's important for law students?

  • Gaining a comprehensive overview: Halsbury's is an excellent starting point for researching a new area of law. It provides a broad overview of the topic, helping you understand the key concepts and issues involved.
  • Identifying relevant sources: Halsbury's cites relevant case law, legislation, and other legal materials, making it easier for you to find the primary sources you need for your research.
  • Understanding complex legal concepts: Halsbury's explains complex legal concepts in clear and concise language, making it a valuable resource for clarifying your understanding of the law.
  • Developing legal arguments: By referencing Halsbury's in your essays and assignments, you can demonstrate your knowledge of the law and support your legal arguments with authoritative commentary.

Halsbury's Laws of England is available in both print and online formats. The online version is accessed via Lexis; the print volumes are held in the Law Library. However, these are no longer updated, so to ensure you are using the most up to date version, check Lexis.

How Halsbury's is Structured:

Halsbury's is organised into volumes, each covering a specific area of law (e.g., Contract, Criminal Law, Property). Within each volume, the information is divided into numbered paragraphs. Each paragraph addresses a particular legal concept or issue, providing a clear and concise explanation of the law, supported by references to relevant case law and legislation in the footnotes.

How to Use Halsbury's:

  • Online (Lexis):
    • Keyword Search: Type your search terms into the search box. You can use connectors like AND or NOT to refine your search.
    • Browse by Volume and Paragraph: If you know the specific volume and paragraph number, you can navigate directly to the relevant section.
  • Print:
    • Consolidated Index (Volumes 55 & 56): Use the consolidated index to find the relevant volume and paragraph number for your topic. Start with a specific search term and if unsuccessful, try broader terms. The index is organised by both broad and specific entries. For example, to find cases on dangerous dogs, look under ANIMALS, then 'dangerous,' then 'dog.' This will cross-reference you to the entry for DOG, where you will find entries for 'dangerous dogs.' The first number in bold refers to the volume, and the subsequent number to the paragraph
    • Main Volumes: Consult the relevant volume and then the paragraph for detailed information on your topic.
    • Cumulative Supplement: Check the annual cumulative supplement for updates since the main volume was published.
    • Consolidated Tables: Use these volumes to find where specific cases or legislation are discussed in Halsbury's.
  • Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations: This online tool helps you decipher abbreviations found in legal citations.

Important Note: While Halsbury's is a highly respected resource, it is a secondary source of law. Always verify information against primary sources like legislation and case law.

Quick Guide to Halsbury's Laws