This book has been written for students undertaking legal studies at undergraduate level and those pursuing similar courses which include constitutional and administrative law as a core component (e.g. the Postgraduate Diploma in Law). It is intended also to be of use and interest to those who, for whatever purpose, are seeking an easily comprehensible introduction to the legal foundations of the British system of government and to the rights and freedoms to those subject to it. The book’s content is based on over thirty years’ experience of teaching the subject on A-level, undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Particular attention has been paid to the views of students concerning the strengths and weaknesses of pre-existing and alternative textbooks in this discipline. As with most law books, many of the legal principles included are explained by reference to particular judicial decisions. The approach taken here has been to discuss those cases which illustrate the principles in issue most clearly or those which exemplify their most recent application.