Custom
rule of behaviour
develop in a community
without being deliberately invented
basis of English common law
see Common law
Lord Justice Coke (17th century)
custom
as one of main triangles of laws of England
historical source
unlikely to create new law today
Now
unusual for new custom to be considered by courts
rarer for courts to decide to
recognise new custom as valid custombut there are some exceptions
Egerton v Harding (1974)
fence land
against cattle leaving common
New Windsor Corporation v Mellor (1974)
local people prevented local authority
from building on landlocal people proved that
there was custom giving them right
to use land for lawful sports