Ian McLeod introduces the nature of law and legal reasoning for everyone beginning serious legal study or training. Starting with the English Legal System and Constitutional Law Legal Method moves on to Case Law and Precedent, Statute Law and Interpretation taking in European Community law as it arises. Points are made with illustrations from T.S. Eliot, W.S. Gilbert and the Dalai Lama, as well as professional sources. The author emphasizes the extent of judges' discretion in deciding points of law, and shows what this discretion is based on. It is suitable for the Common Professional Examination, for law degrees (LLB), jurisprudence courses and for professional non-law students beginning the study of law.