Domesticating Kelsen

Towards the Pure Theory of English Law

Elgar Studies in Legal Theory

Alexander Orakhelashvili, Reader, School of Law, University of Birmingham, UK

There exists a genuine degree of scepticism as to whether Hans Kelsen’s pure theory of law can rationalise the intricacies of the English legal system. This ground-breaking book examines pertinent aspects of English law relating to constitutional patterns of law-making, the relationship between law and policy, and the ultimate efficacy of the legal order, through the pure theory’s prism. It demonstrates that while Kelsen’s theory is highly suitable to examine some of these issues, in relation to some aspects of English law it actually possesses the analytical cutting edge.