The interaction between latex particles with covalently bound ionic groups and polyelectrolytes was studied by dynamic and static light scattering. In the systems investigated two effects occurred: a coating of the latex particles with a closed-fitting polyelectrolyte layer and coagulation, caused by interparticle bridging. The aggregation effects could be suppressed by a large excess of the polycation in highly diluted systems. The amount of bound polyelectrolyte was determined via a subsequent polyelectrolyte complex formation. Possible determinants of the structure of the polyelectrolyte layer are discussed.It is a well-known fact that in highly diluted systems latex particles may be covered with a layer of water-soluble polymers, preventing coagulation. This makes it possible to study the structural parameters of the polymer layer by static and dynamic light scattering. Killmann et al. (7) could show that the thickness of the adsorbed layer of poly(ethyleneoxide)s on polystyrene latexes depends strongly on the amount of the adsorbed polymer and still more on the molecular weight of the polymer. The strong Coulombic interaction between a charged latex surface and an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte impedes the suppression of coagulation effects. Main objectives of this paper are :-coating of a charged latex with a polyelectrolyte without coagulation -study of the structural parameters of the polymer layer , using static and dynamic light scattering -determination of the amount of bound polyelectrolyte by subsequent polyelectrolyte complex formation