Introduction to UK Law

Questions and Answers

What is the main role of a barrister in the courtroom?

To argue a case before a judge or tribunal (correct)

To conduct criminal prosecutions

To keep the peace in a lower court

To provide legal services in various areas of law

What is the title given to a senior barrister appointed by the Queen?

Justice of the Peace

Crown Prosecutor

Lord Advocate

Queen's Council (correct)

Who is responsible for conducting most criminal prosecutions in England and Wales?

The Crown Prosecution Service (correct)

The Magistrates' Court

The Lord Advocate

The Attorney General

What is the role of a Justice of the Peace (JP) in England and Wales?

To keep the peace in a lower court Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the chief law officer of the Crown in Scotland?

The Lord Advocate Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a magistrate in a magistrates' court?

To keep the peace and make judicial decisions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an inquest conducted by a coroner?

To find out who a deceased person was and how they died Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of an usher in a court?

To take care of the jury and carry out minor services Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between criminal law and civil law?

Criminal law is mostly between state and individual, while civil law is mostly between individuals and/or private entities. Signup and view all the answers

How many distinct legal systems exist in the UK?

3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the Constitution of the United Kingdom?

It is basically unwritten and not codified into a single document. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Magna Carta (1215)?

It encoded a key development in the route from the King being an absolute monarch towards parliament's supremacy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Lord Chancellor?

Cabinet minister and head of the Ministry of Justice. Signup and view all the answers

What is the position of the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales?

Head of the Judiciary of England and Wales and President of the Courts of England and Wales. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the court system in the UK?

Courts come in various layers, and you normally start at the lowest and move up through the system. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the constitutional principles of the UK?

The rule of law. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

UK Legal System

In the UK, there are two main areas of law: criminal law (between state and individual) and civil law (between individuals or private entities)
The UK does not have a uniform legal system, with different systems for England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland
Courts are organized in a hierarchical system, with cases typically starting at the lowest level and potentially being appealed to higher courts

Constitution

The UK's constitution is unwritten and not codified into a single document
Key constitutional principles include parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, democracy, and upholding international law
Certain Acts of Parliament have special constitutional status, including the Magna Carta (1215)

Legal Positions

The Lord Chancellor is a Cabinet minister and Head of the Ministry of Justice for England and Wales
The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales is the Head of the Judiciary and President of the Courts
Lawyers in England and Wales come in two types: barristers (professional legal advisers and courtroom advocates) and solicitors (provide legal services in various areas of law)
Queen's Council (QC) are appointed senior barristers who have the right to wear silk gowns and take precedence in court
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) conducts most criminal prosecutions
A Justice of the Peace (JP) is a judicial officer elected or appointed to keep the peace
The Attorney General is the chief law officer of the Crown in England and Wales, while the Lord Advocate serves in Scotland
A magistrate is an unpaid volunteer who serves in a magistrates' court, with paid district judges also available
In court, you may find a lawyer for the defence, a lawyer for the prosecution, magistrates (The Bench), a judge, a clerk, an usher, the defendant, witnesses, a jury, and dock officers
A Coroner holds an inquest to determine the details of a deceased person's death
An Usher is a servant who takes care of the jury and carries out minor services