The Legal System Flashcards
P1 - Section A: The Legal System
What do Civil Courts do? Give three examples.
Civil courts resolve disputes between individual citizens under civil law. E.g. disputes over payment of money, provision of services, and family matters.
What is the Judiciary?
The Judiciary is part of a country’s government that is responsible for its legal system and that consists of all the judges in its courts of law.
What do criminal courts do? Give five examples.
Criminal courts deal with offenses against the criminal law. E.g. murder, robbery, fraud, speeding, and dropping litter.
What is the High Court and what does it do?
The High Court hears more substantial civil claims (over around £25,000).
Who is the Crown Prosecution Service?
The CPS, a government agency, decides whether criminal proceedings, which have been started by the police, should progress to court.
What is the County Court and what do they do? Give five examples.
The County Court, or Small Claims court deals with civil matters such as:
1. Claims for debt repayment
2. Personal injury
3. Breach of control: goods or property.
4. Family issues: divorce or adoption.
5. Housing disputes: mortgage, council rent arrears and repossession.
What are the four Inns of Court?
Gray’s Inn,
Lincoln’s Inn,
Middle Temple,
Inner Temple.
What is a bench?
A bench is a panel of three magistrates assigned to hear a case in the magistrates court.
