Theme C: Regional legal systems

Question 1

What is the political structure of the UK?

Answer 1

The UK is a political union of four countries.

Question 2

How many legal systems does the UK have?

Answer 2

The UK has more than one legal system.

Question 3

Which countries share a legal system in the UK?

Answer 3

England and Wales share a legal system.

Question 4

What legal system does Scotland have?

Answer 4

Scotland has a separate legal system.

Question 5

What about Northern Ireland’s legal system?

Answer 5

Northern Ireland has a different legal system.

Question 6

What are the historic reasons for different legal systems in the UK?

Answer 6

There are historic reasons resulting in three separate legal jurisdictions.

Question 7

When did England and Wales join together?

Answer 7

England and Wales joined together in 1543.

Question 8

What significant event happened in 1707?

Answer 8

Scotland joined England and Wales with the Act of Union to form Great Britain.

Question 9

Did Scotland retain its legal system after the Act of Union?

Answer 9

Yes, Scotland retained a separate legal system.

Question 10

What happened in 1801 regarding Ireland?

Answer 10

Great Britain joined Ireland, which kept its courts.

Question 11

What occurred in 1921 concerning Ireland?

Answer 11

Most of Ireland became independent from Britain.

Question 12

What is the status of Northern Ireland’s legal system?

Answer 12

Six counties in Northern Ireland remained but retained a different court system.

Question 13

What are the three legal jurisdictions in the UK?

Answer 13

1) England and Wales
2) Scotland
3) Northern Ireland

Question 14

What do England and Wales share?

Answer 14

England and Wales share legal jurisdiction.

Question 15

What type of legal system do England and Wales have?

Answer 15

They share a common law legal system with criminal and civil law as parts of it.

Question 16

What is common law?

Answer 16

Common law refers to judge-made law, or case law. It stems from judges interpreting and referring to the law based on previous decisions.

Question 17

What is judicial precedent?

Answer 17

Judicial precedent is the practice of judges referring to previous decisions when interpreting the law.

Question 18

What powers does Wales have regarding laws?

Answer 18

Wales has an Assembly with some powers to make its own laws.

Question 19

Can Wales amend UK laws?

Answer 19

Yes, Wales can amend UK laws to suit Wales.

Question 20

Does Wales share legal jurisdiction with England?

Answer 20

Yes, Wales still shares legal jurisdiction with England.

Question 21

When was the Welsh Assembly set up?

Answer 21

The Welsh Assembly was set up in 1999 following a referendum.

Question 22

How many members does the Welsh Assembly consist of?

Answer 22

It consists of 60 members.

Question 23

How are the members of the Welsh Assembly elected?

Answer 23

40 members are elected using the first-past-the-post system.

Question 24

How are the remaining members of the Welsh Assembly selected?

Answer 24

20 members are topped up from party lists.

Question 25

What areas does the Welsh Assembly have responsibility for?

Answer 25

It has responsibility for 20 devolved areas on which it can make its own laws.

Question 26

What matters can the Welsh Assembly make laws about?

Answer 26

It can make laws concerning matters such as education, health, and housing.

Question 27

What legal system does Scotland use?

Answer 27

Scotland has its own legal system based on Roman law.

Question 28

What is the name of the law practiced in Scotland?

Answer 28

Scotland practices Scots law, which is largely separate from the rest of the UK.

Question 29

How does employment law in Scotland compare to the rest of the UK?

Answer 29

Areas such as employment law are similar between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Question 30

What are some significant differences in Scottish law?

Answer 30

There are significant differences in property and criminal law.

Question 31

What unique verdict option exists in Scottish criminal trials?

Answer 31

In criminal trials, juries in Scotland have a third option of a 'not proven' verdict, in addition to 'guilty' and 'not guilty'.

Question 32

What is the highest court for appeals from Scottish citizens?

Answer 32

The UK Supreme Court is the highest court for appeals from Scottish citizens.

Question 33

What is the legislative body of Northern Ireland?

Answer 33

Northern Ireland has its own Assembly which can pass laws that are enforced by its own court system.

Question 34

What responsibilities does Northern Ireland have?

Answer 34

Northern Ireland has responsibility for education and planning.

Question 35

What is the basis of the legal system in Northern Ireland?

Answer 35

The legal system of Northern Ireland is based on common law, some of which comes from Irish common law before Northern Ireland was part of the UK.

Question 36

What types of laws apply in Northern Ireland?

Answer 36

Northern Ireland has laws passed by the UK Parliament and laws passed by the Parliament of Ireland prior to joining the UK in 1801.

Question 37

Do all UK laws apply in Northern Ireland?

Answer 37

Not all UK laws apply in Northern Ireland due to the country's historical and religious background. For example, the UK Abortion Act 1967 is not law in Northern Ireland.