The Justice System and Legal Rights
How justice works in England: the rule of law, the difference between criminal and civil law, the courts and the people who run them, and the legal rights every citizen holds.
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The justice system
The justice system settles disputes and deals with people accused of breaking the law. It rests on the rule of law, the idea that everyone is equal before the law and no one is above it. There are two main types of law, criminal and civil, and different courts and people play a part in each.
Words for the law
Learn these four terms before you explore how justice works.
Criminal and civil law
The two main branches of law deal with very different matters.
Be precise: criminal or civil
To reach the top grades, be precise about the difference between criminal and civil law, and explain the role of the jury and the rule of law rather than just naming them.
Match the role to the job
- the police
- a judge
- a jury
- a magistrate
- investigate crimes and arrest suspects
- interprets the law and passes sentence
- decides guilt in a Crown Court trial
- a trained volunteer who hears less serious cases
Match the term to its meaning
- the rule of law
- criminal law
- civil law
- presumption of innocence
- the idea that everyone is equal before the law
- law about offences against society
- law about disputes between people or organisations
- being treated as innocent until proven guilty
Which is a criminal case?
Which of these is a criminal case?
- Someone is charged with theft.
- Two companies argue over a contract.
- A couple gets a divorce.
- A neighbour sues over a broken fence.
Legal rights
Select the TWO legal rights of a citizen accused of a crime.
- The right to a fair trial.
- To be treated as innocent until proven guilty.
- The right to punish the accuser.
- The right to avoid all courts.
Order a criminal case
Put the steps of a criminal case in order, earliest first.
- A crime is committed
- The police investigate and arrest a suspect
- The case goes to trial in court
- If guilty, the judge passes a sentence
Summarise the system
The _____ of law means everyone is equal before the law. _____ law deals with offences against society, while _____ law deals with disputes between people. A serious criminal case is heard in the Crown Court, where a _____ decides guilt. A person is treated as _____ until proven guilty.
Count the jury
In England, how many people sit on a jury in a Crown Court trial?
Criminal against civil
Tap the TWO statements that are TRUE.
- Criminal law deals with offences against society
- A person is innocent until proven guilty
- Civil law sends people to prison
- A jury decides cases in the Magistrates court
- The police pass sentence on offenders
Criminal or civil?
Decide whether each situation is a criminal case or a civil case.
- A person is accused of stealing a car
- Two neighbours argue over a garden fence
- A citizen votes in a general election
Explain the law
Explain the difference between criminal law and civil law, and describe the role of a jury in the justice system. Give an example of each type of law, then explain what a jury does.
- Explain what criminal law is, with an example
- Explain what civil law is, with an example
- Explain the role of a jury