Isle of Man lawyers are known as Advocates and combine the role of solicitor and barrister. Advocates are regulated by the Isle of Man Law Society. On the whole only Isle of Man Advocates may advise on issues of Isle of Man law and appear before the Island's courts. For particularly large or complex cases, English barristers may be licenced to appear.

Manx High Court judges are known as Deemsters. There are two Deemsters, a Deputy Deemster and a Judge of Appeal. In addition, Acting Deemsters may be appointed to hear long or complicated cases and appeals. These are usually selected from high-ranking English Queens Counsel.

Appeal from the Isle of Man High Court lies to the Isle of Man Appeal Court and finally to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Downing Street, London, where Manx Advocates have a right of audience in Isle of Man appeals. The Isle of Man's legal system is based on common law principles, much the same as that of England, with English case precedents being regarded as highly persuasive in the absence of local case precedent. Whilst many Isle of Man statutes mirror their English counterparts, in other areas there are significant differences between Isle of Man and English law.

Generally, English laws which affect international relations are usually re-enacted in the Isle of Man so as to keep the Island in step with current legal developments in the United Kingdom. The Island has adopted Human Rights legislation similar to that introduced in the United Kingdom in 2000.

Generally the laws are modern and commercially efficient.