What is the traditional view of law?
Law is created and enforced by a central authority and applies within a defined jurisdiction.
What are the three types of jurisdiction?
Geographical, temporal, and subject-specific.
Why is enforcement necessary in law?
Laws require mechanisms (like courts) to ensure compliance.
What are the three UK legal jurisdictions?
England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland.
How do appeals from Scotland and Northern Ireland reach the Supreme Court?
Scotland – civil appeals only; Northern Ireland – both civil and criminal.
What are British Overseas Territories?
Self-governing territories (e.g., Bermuda) still under UK sovereignty.
Public vs Private Law?
Public law: State and individual, e.g. constitutional, administrative, criminal.
Private law: Disputes between individuals/organisations, e.g. tort, family, contract.
Criminal vs Civil Law?
Criminal: State prosecutes; proof beyond reasonable doubt; punishment.
Civil: Individual disputes; balance of probabilities; remedies, not punishment.
Trial vs Appellate courts?
Trial: Hear cases at first instance.
Appellate: Hear appeals from lower courts.
Criminal offence types?
Summary (minor, magistrates only)
Either-way (middle, magistrates or Crown)
Indictable (serious, Crown only)
What is the role of Magistrates’ Courts?
Handle 90% of criminal cases; initial hearings for all; some civil jurisdiction.
What is the Crown Court?
Hears indictable offences; judge + jury; can hear appeals from magistrates.
What is the Court of Appeal?
Penultimate appellate court; divided into Civil and Criminal Divisions.
What is the UK Supreme Court?
Highest appellate court (replaced House of Lords in 2009).
What are the burdens and standards of proof?
Criminal: Prosecution, beyond reasonable doubt.
Civil: Claimant, balance of probabilities.
What are the main sources of UK law?
Acts of Parliament, common law, delegated legislation, supranational law (EU/ECHR).
What is primary vs secondary legislation?
Primary: Acts/statutes passed by Parliament.
Secondary: Regulations/statutory instruments made under authority of an Act
