Researching Public Law in Common Law Systems

Elgar Studies in Legal Research Methods

Edited by Paul Daly, University Research Chair in Administrative Law & Governance, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Canada and Joe Tomlinson, Professor of Public Law, York Law School, University of York, UK

This original book fills a significant gap in legal literature by providing an exploration of research methodologies in public law; a field of research in which research methods are becoming increasingly prominent and sophisticated. Featuring thoughtful chapters written by leading scholars in the field, this book provides a thorough explanation of the key features, characteristics, and challenges of distinct methodological approaches to public law research.

‘Public law scholarship in recent years has become richer and more complex – expanding our capacity to address new questions, but also creating new methodological challenges. In this important new volume, Paul Daly and Joe Tomlinson bring together some of the leading public lawyers in the common law world to help unpack and navigate these challenges. Bringing together theoretical, doctrinal, socio-legal and comparative perspectives, the volume is essential reading for those new to and established in the field.’
– Rosalind Dixon, University of New South Wales, Australia

‘This excellent collection shines a bright light onto issues of method in public law research. It is a hugely useful and welcome contribution to the field, and is a “must-read” for anyone engaging seriously with the question of how we know what we think we know.’
– Simon Halliday, University of Strathclyde, UK