What else is in this Guide?
Navigate this guide via the blue tabs above, or the links below.
- Guides to legal resources for jurisdictionsThe staff at the LawBod produce guides to legal resources for individual jurisdictions/countries. Go to this page to see if we have a more specific guide to help your studies.
- Guides to resources for legal topics/subjectsThe staff at the LawBod produce guides to legal resources for supra-national legal systems and legal subjects/topics. Go to this page to see if we have a more specific guide to help your studies.
- EDC and Official Paper GuidesThe Law Bod's specialist official papers librarians have written guides to help you make the most of this form of publication.
Reading law at Oxford University
Law students at Oxford are supported in their legal studies by their own (private) college libraries and the University library which is
The Bodleian Law Library
The Law Bod (as it is usually called!) holds the largest collection of printed legal materials at Oxford. Indeed, it is one of the largest law libraries in the UK.
The Law Bod is also the principal library for legal philosophy, has the research collection for criminology and, since 2010, houses the Bodleian's Official Papers Collection.
The entire collection is reference only: we do not lend, no one may borrow!
Importantly, the Law Bod also provides a wide range of electronic legal databases for current members of the University.
Admission to the Law Bod. Readers require a valid University Card or Bodleian Reader's Pass. The Central Admissions Office deals with applications for admission to the Law Bod.
A number of other libraries in Oxford can be useful for legal researchers. Below - after the link to the Law Bod's own website - is a selection. The list is not exhaustive: part of the joy of Oxford is discovering its libraries & their riches!
- Bodleian Law LibraryFree resource. The website of the LawBod. Check details of our opening hours, services etc there.
- The Bodleian LibraryThe main Bodleian (in the centre of Oxford) provides further support for legal studies which overlap with law eg classical studies, history, politics and international relations.
Visit the webpages for further details of opening hours, services etc - Bodleian Social Science LibraryThe SSL's collection includes criminology and socio-legal studies, as well as many disciplines which can be necessary for understanding the wider context of law eg politics, economics, and refugee studies. Visit their webpages for further details of opening hours, services etc
- The Sainsbury LibraryThe Sainsbury Library's collection supports the courses in management and business studies. Visit the webpages for further details of opening hours, services etc
- Vere Harmsworth LibraryFocuses on the history of the United States. Visit the webpages for further details of opening hours, services etc
- Philosophy Faculty LibraryAlthough Jurisprudence (legal philosophy) is held by the LawBod, this Library is the major Bodleian collection for other aspects of philosophy.Visit the webpages for further details of opening hours, services etc
- Sackler LibraryFor students with an interest in the laws of the Classical World, Roman law in particular.
Visit the webpages for further details of opening hours, services etc - History Faculty LibraryVisit the webpages for further details of opening hours, services etc
- Rhodes House LibraryFor history of the Commonwealth and sub-Saharan Africa
Visit the webpages for further details of opening hours, services etc - Codrington LibraryThis private College library is very strong in law and history.
Law students at Oxford may apply for admission. The Codrington issues its own library cards, at its own discretion. Visit its webpages for further details of opening hours etc - Nuffield College LibraryParticularly strong in economics, politics and sociology, postgraduates studying at other Oxford Colleges and Oxford teaching staff can apply for admission.
Legal research skills: an introduction
- Last Updated May 14, 2012
Information and resources on legal skills and legal research techniques.
Law Bod overview
The guide below (please click on the link in this box) is designed to answer initial questions new readers may have about using the Bodleian Law Library.
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