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.
Grade 9 thinking 💡
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.
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 🪜
An interactive activity.
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 🔢
An interactive activity.
Spot the true statements 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Criminal or civil? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Explain the law ✍️
An interactive activity.