Law

The courts, the legal system, and the everyday duties the law places on everyone.

Rule of law & the courts

The rule of law means everyone, including the government, must obey the law
Magistrates' Courts hear minor criminal cases, usually before unpaid magistrates or a judge
The Crown Court hears serious criminal cases, with a judge and jury
In Scotland, serious criminal cases go to the Sheriff Court, where juries can return a 'not proven' verdict
Youth Courts deal with offenders aged 10 to 17 and are closed to the public
County Courts handle civil disputes such as debt, contracts and family matters
The small claims procedure covers civil disputes under £10,000 in England and Wales and can be started online

Criminal courts punish, from magistrates up to Crown; civil courts settle, from county court up to the High Court.

7 questions

There is no legal requirement to carry an identity card in the UK
You must be at least 17 to drive a car, and pass both a theory and a practical test
A car must be registered, insured, and (if over three years old) have a valid MOT certificate
Income Tax is deducted from wages, pensions and other income to fund public services
Employers use PAYE to deduct tax directly from wages; self-employed people file a Self Assessment
National Insurance contributions are compulsory for employees and the self-employed, and help pay for benefits and the NHS
You need a National Insurance number before you can work or pay tax and National Insurance

PAYE if you're employed, Self Assessment if you're self-employed; both feed the same Income Tax and National Insurance system.

8 questions

UK law is rooted in historic documents such as the Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act, and the Bill of Rights 1689
The Human Rights Act 1998 brought the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law
Rights protected include the right to life, freedom from torture, and freedom of thought and expression
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from unfair treatment based on personal characteristics, at work and in daily life
Domestic violence is a serious crime in the UK, and victims can access helplines and safe accommodation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is illegal in the UK, even if carried out abroad on a UK resident
Forced marriage is a criminal offence when either party does not give free and full consent

Historic charters set the principles; the Human Rights Act and Equality Act turned them into enforceable modern law.

8 questions

Jury service is a legal duty for registered voters aged 18 to 75 in most of the UK
Jurors must decide a case based only on the evidence presented in court, and must stay impartial
Failing to attend jury service without a valid reason can lead to a fine
You can support the justice system by becoming a magistrate, an unpaid role that needs no legal qualifications
A special constable is a volunteer who works alongside the regular police
Call 999 to report an emergency and 101 for non-emergency police matters
Cooperating with the police, for example as a witness, helps the justice system work properly

Jury service is compulsory; becoming a magistrate or special constable is how you volunteer for the same system.

8 questions