The law and the courts

The handbook separates criminal law from civil law and then walks through the courts that handle each. Knowing which court hears what is the quickest way to get marks here.

From chapter 5 of the handbook: The UK government, the law and your role

Ways to remember it

Jury sizes: 12 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 15 in Scotland.

What you need to know

Criminal law deals with crimes, which are usually investigated by the police and prosecuted by the state.
Civil law is used to settle disputes between people or organisations.
Magistrates' courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland deal with minor criminal offences.
In Northern Ireland, most minor cases are heard by a District Judge or Deputy District Judge, who is legally qualified and paid.
Magistrates, also called Justices of the Peace, are usually unpaid volunteers from the local community and do not need legal qualifications.
In Scotland minor criminal offences are dealt with in a Justice of the Peace Court.
Serious offences are tried in a Crown Court before a judge and a jury, and in Scotland in a Sheriff Court or the High Court.
A jury in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has 12 members, and in Scotland 15.
Jurors are chosen at random from the electoral register, and jury service is a duty.
The small claims procedure handles minor civil disputes over small sums of money, without needing a solicitor.
County Courts deal with a wide range of civil disputes, including debt and personal injury.
The police are there to protect life and property, prevent and detect crime, and keep the peace.
The police must themselves obey the law, and a complaint about the police can be made at a police station or to the independent complaints body.
Everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Legal advice is available from solicitors, and Citizens Advice can help people find it.

Our summary, in our own words. The test can ask about anything in the chapter, so read the official handbook too.

Practice questions on the law and the courts

All 15 of our questions on this topic. Say your answer before you open it: trying to answer first helps you remember it.

What does civil law deal with?
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- Disputes between people or organisations
Civil law settles disputes between people or organisations. Criminal law deals with crimes.
Which court deals with minor criminal offences in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
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- The magistrates' court
Magistrates' courts handle minor criminal offences in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Who are magistrates?
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- Usually unpaid volunteers from the local community, without legal qualifications
Magistrates, also called Justices of the Peace, are usually unpaid volunteers and do not need legal qualifications.
In Scotland, which court deals with minor criminal offences?
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- The Justice of the Peace Court
In Scotland minor offences are dealt with in a Justice of the Peace Court.
Where are serious criminal offences tried in England and Wales?
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- The Crown Court, before a judge and jury
Serious offences go to the Crown Court before a judge and jury. In Scotland they go to a Sheriff Court or the High Court.
How many people sit on a jury in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
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- 12
A jury has 12 members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 15 in Scotland.
How many people sit on a jury in Scotland?
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- 15
A Scottish jury has 15 members, three more than in the rest of the UK.
How are jurors chosen?
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- At random from the electoral register
Jurors are chosen at random from the electoral register, and jury service is a duty.
What is the small claims procedure used for?
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- Minor civil disputes over small sums of money
The small claims procedure handles minor civil disputes over small sums, and you do not need a solicitor.
What do County Courts deal with?
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- A wide range of civil disputes, including debt and personal injury
County Courts handle civil disputes such as debt and personal injury claims.
What are the police there to do?
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- Protect life and property, prevent and detect crime, and keep the peace
The police protect life and property, prevent and detect crime, and keep the peace.
Are the police themselves required to obey the law?
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- Yes, and complaints about them can be made independently
The police must obey the law. A complaint can be made at a police station or to the independent complaints body.
Changed since the book: In England and Wales, police complaints now go to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which replaced the IPCC in 2018.
Everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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- True
The presumption of innocence is a basic principle of the legal system.
Where can you get help finding legal advice?
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- Citizens Advice
Legal advice comes from solicitors, and Citizens Advice can help people find it.
In Northern Ireland, who usually hears minor criminal cases?
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- A District Judge or Deputy District Judge
In Northern Ireland most minor cases go before a District Judge or Deputy District Judge, who is legally qualified and paid.

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Chapter 5 practice test: The law and the courts · 15 questions · 28 minutes if you take it timed

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