A variational method is described which allows elliptic boundary value problems with complex domains to be solved as a set of coupled problems over simple subdomains (global elements); the trial functions used need not satisfy any of the boundary conditions. For smooth problems the method retains the rapid convergence of the global variational approach; a major advantage however is that rapid convergence should also be attainable for singular problems. In many cases the method will be simpler to use than the finite element method.