Introduction to Law

Question 1

What is a defendant?

Answer 1

The person being accused of doing something wrong.

Question 2

What is a verdict?

Answer 2

The actual decision of a case.

Question 3

What is the burden of proof?

Answer 3

The person who has the job of proving the case.

Question 4

What is the standard of proof?

Answer 4

How much proof needs to be provided to win the case.

Question 5

CRIMINAL LAW

What is an offence?

Answer 5

Another word for crime.

Question 6

CRIMINAL LAW

What is a charge?

Answer 6

This is when the police accuse someone of committing a crime.

Question 7

CRIMINAL LAW

What is the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)?

Answer 7

The group who decide if a charge should be brought.

Question 8

CRIMINAL LAW

What is bail?

Answer 8

Being given freedom between the time you are charged and the trial.

Question 9

CRIMINAL LAW

What is remand (in custody)?

Answer 9

Staying in custody between the time you are charged and the trial.

Question 10

CRIMINAL LAW

What is a conviction?

Answer 10

When a defendant is found guilty.

Question 11

CRIMINAL LAW

What is an acquittal?

Answer 11

When a defendant is found not guilty.

Question 12

CRIMINAL LAW

What is a sentence?

Answer 12

The punishment given to the defendant after a conviction.

Question 13

CRIMINAL LAW

What are magistrates?

Answer 13

The 3 people who decide the verdict and sentence in a Magistrate’s Court.

Question 14

CRIMINAL LAW

What are the jury?

Answer 14

The 12 people who decide the verdict in the Crown Court.

Question 15

CRIMINAL LAW

What is a judge?

Answer 15

The person who advises the jury and decides a sentence in the Crown Court.

Question 16

CRIMINAL LAW

What is the prosecution?

Answer 16

The people proving the case against the defendant at a trial.

Question 17

CRIMINAL LAW

What is a victim?

Answer 17

The person who was allegedly wronged in some way.

Question 18

CIVIL LAW

What is a claimant?

Answer 18

The person claiming they were wronged in some way.

Question 19

CIVIL LAW

What does it mean to sue someone?

Answer 19

Taking someone to civil court.

Question 20

CIVIL LAW

What does liable/ not liable mean?

Answer 20

The verdicts in civil law, the equivalent of guilty and not guilty.

Question 21

CIVIL LAW

What are damages?

Answer 21

Compensation- the money the claimant will receive from the defendant if the defendant is found liable.

Question 22

CIVIL LAW

What is a judge?

Answer 22

The person who decides the verdict and damages.

Question 23

What is the purpose of criminal law?

Answer 23

To maintain order, punish the guilty, achieve justice and protect the public.

Question 24

What is the purpose of civil law?

Answer 24

To resolve disputes between individuals or organisations.

Question 25

Who starts the case and holds the burden of proof in criminal law?

Answer 25

The prosecution.

Question 26

Who starts the case and holds the burden of proof in civil law?

Answer 26

The claimant.

Question 27

Which courts hear criminal cases?

Answer 27

Either a Magistrate's Court for less serious offences or the Crown Court for more serious offences.

Question 28

Which courts hear civil cases?

Answer 28

Either a County Court for low value or the High Court for high value.

Question 29

What is the standard of proof in criminal court?

Answer 29

Beyond reasonable doubt.

Question 30

What is the standard of proof in civil court?

Answer 30

On the balance of probabilities.

Question 31

Who decides the verdict in criminal court?

Answer 31

Magistrates or jurors.

Question 32

Who decides the verdict in civil court?

Answer 32

The judge.

Question 33

What are the powers of criminal court?

Answer 33

Judge can sentence the defendant e.g prison sentence, community order or fine.

Question 34

What are the powers of civil court?

Answer 34

Judge can order defendant to pay damages and can also make an injunction.

Question 35

What is the name of laws that Parliament makes?

Answer 35

Acts of Parliament/ Statutes/ Legislation.

Question 36

What is the name of laws that Judges make?

Answer 36

Precedents.

Question 37

What is the name of laws that Local Councils and public bodies make?

Answer 37

By-laws.

Question 38

What is the name of laws that the EU makes?

Answer 38

Regulations and directives.

Question 39

What is the rule of law?

Answer 39

No-one is above the law and the law applies to all people equally. Laws will be made, enforced and applied in a clear and fair way.

Question 40

What is Parliamentary supremacy?

Answer 40

Parliament are the most powerful law makers due to being elected democratically. Therefore Parliament can make any laws that it wants and others can't change these laws.

Question 41

What is judicial creativity?

Answer 41

How much judges can influence the law and interpret it in different ways.

Question 42

What is separation of powers?

Answer 42

Theory that the legislature (Parliament) should make laws, the executive (Government) should come up with ideas and enforce laws and judiciary (judges) should interpret and apply law. The 3 should be kept separate and not overlap.