1. England and Wales have one single system of law and courts but Scotland Has a separate one.
2. Sources of law:
- Legislation:
Acts of Parliament (the Parliament – the most important),
Orders (regulations made by the ministers),
By-laws (local governments – local authorities decisions),
- Common Law – it is based on tradition, ancient law, derived from customs and interpreted in court by judges,
- European Union Law (economic and social matters).
3. Every case is done on the behalf of the Queen. Chief Crown Prosecutor acts on the behalf of the state in the court against the criminal.
4. Criminal charge:
- in England and Wales (in Scotland it is different), the case starts either by police or victim of crime – they make decision about criminal charge,
- Crown Prosecution Service – is a body where criminal charges are brought; it decides whether the case should go to the court or be dropped,
- The Director of Public Prosecution – he chooses people who are responsible for particular charges; he can omit or sign prosecution; his office deals with really important, difficult cases or matters,
- Chief Crown Prosecution – he leads the investigate and tries to find out everything about some charges; he prepares documents to judge (he reports directly to The Director of Public Prosecution).
5. Criminal Law:
- Magistrates’ Courts (the lowest, the first instant court; it deals with not difficult and not very serious crimes – they don’t work with jury; generally people after the decision of Magistrates’ courts don’t go to the prison):
People who work there are called lay magistrates, their title is also Justice of Peace; they are not legally qualified lawyers,
- Crown Courts (second instant court which deals with more serious crimes than the first one – they work with jury):
People who work there are called circuit judges and they are qualified lawyers who give verdict,
- High Courts (criminal division; it deals with extremely important cases; it is a Court of Appeal):
People/judges who work there are called Mr. Justice and they are qualified and experienced lawyers who cannot be dismissed (they have been working for a long time in this profession),
- The Court of Appeal (criminal division; sometimes it is the last chance for appealing):
People/judges who work there are called Mr. Justice and they are really experienced; they cannot be dismissed ( they have been working for a long time in this profession),
- The Supreme Court (it is the last chance for appealing but it can happen very, very rarely):
Judges who work there are called Justice and they cannot be dismissed.
6. JURY – it consists of twelve people, they aren’t lawyers, they are only citizens, they only decide if someone is guilty or innocent (judge sentences guilty person).
7. Appeals:
Magistrates’ Court Crown Court or very rarely to High Court of Justice,
Crown Court
High Court of Justice
The Court of Appeal The Supreme Court.
8. Another important judges:
- JUVENILE COURTS – it is separated court for young people (under 17 years old); the trials are not opened (people/media cannot watch it); this court gives verdict:
People who work there are called lay magistrates because it is type of Magistrates’ Courts,
- CORONER’S COURTS – it is court which deals with different sudden deaths:
People who worked there are called coroners who are lawyers or doctors and they deal with sudden death – they decide if the death is natural or not.