👨‍⚖️ The Law, Courts and Justice

1. What are the two main types of law in the United Kingdom?

1. Criminal law and civil law
2. Federal law and state law
3. Public law and church law
4. Common law and royal law

The two main types of law in the UK are criminal law and civil law. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

2. Which type of law deals with crimes that are usually investigated by the police and punished by the courts?

1. Criminal law
2. Civil law
3. Consumer law
4. Employment law

Criminal law relates to crimes, which are usually investigated by the police or another authority and are punished by the courts. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

3. Which type of law is used to settle disputes between individuals or groups?

1. Civil law
2. Criminal law
3. Penal law
4. Maritime law

Civil law is used to settle disputes between individuals or groups, such as housing, consumer and employment matters. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

4. A tenant believes their landlord has wrongly kept their deposit and wants to recover the money owed. Which type of law applies to this dispute?

1. Civil law
2. Criminal law
3. Military law
4. Canon law

A dispute over money owed between a tenant and landlord is a private dispute, which is dealt with under civil law. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

5. Someone is caught shoplifting from a supermarket. Under which type of law would this matter be dealt with?

1. Criminal law
2. Civil law
3. Consumer rights law
4. Employment law

Shoplifting is a crime, so it is dealt with under criminal law, which is investigated by the police and punished by the courts. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

6. Which of the following is an example of a matter dealt with under civil law rather than criminal law?

1. A disagreement about consumer rights
2. Carrying an illegal weapon
3. Drink-driving
4. Burglary of a home

Consumer rights disputes are settled between individuals or groups and therefore fall under civil law, while the others are crimes dealt with under criminal law. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

7. Disputes about employment, such as unpaid wages, are an example of which type of law?

1. Civil law
2. Criminal law
3. Property crime law
4. Public order law

Employment disputes are settled between individuals or groups and are therefore an example of civil law. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

8. Two neighbours disagree about who owns a strip of land between their gardens and one wants to take the matter to court. Which type of law covers this?

1. Civil law
2. Criminal law
3. Penal law
4. Public order law

A dispute between two individuals over land ownership is a private dispute settled under civil law. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

9. Who usually investigates matters that fall under criminal law?

1. The police or another authority such as a council
2. Private solicitors only
3. The injured individual themselves
4. Members of a jury

Crimes are usually investigated by the police or another authority such as a council, then punished by the courts. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

10. A driver is stopped and found to be driving dangerously over the speed limit. This is an example of a matter dealt with under which type of law?

1. Criminal law
2. Civil law
3. Consumer law
4. Housing law

Dangerous driving is a crime, so it is dealt with under criminal law, which is punished by the courts. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

11. Which statement most accurately distinguishes criminal law from civil law in the UK?

1. Criminal law concerns crimes punished by the courts, while civil law settles disputes between individuals or groups
2. Criminal law settles disputes between individuals, while civil law concerns crimes
3. Both criminal and civil law deal only with disputes between businesses
4. Civil law is enforced by the police, while criminal law is enforced by councils

Criminal law relates to crimes that are investigated and punished, whereas civil law is used to settle disputes between individuals or groups. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

12. A person is both prosecuted by the police for assault and also sued separately by the victim to claim compensation for their injuries. Which statement correctly describes the types of law involved?

1. The prosecution is under criminal law and the compensation claim is under civil law
2. Both the prosecution and the compensation claim are under criminal law
3. Both the prosecution and the compensation claim are under civil law
4. The prosecution is under civil law and the compensation claim is under criminal law

The criminal prosecution for the crime is criminal law, while the victim's separate claim for compensation is a civil dispute between individuals. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

13. Housing law, consumer rights and money disputes are typically examples of which type of law?

1. Civil law
2. Criminal law
3. Public order law
4. Penal law

Housing, consumer rights and money or debt disputes are matters between individuals or groups and so are examples of civil law. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

14. Which of the following situations would be dealt with under criminal law?

1. A person commits a burglary
2. An employee claims unpaid holiday pay
3. A customer returns a faulty product for a refund
4. A couple seek to divide property in a divorce

Burglary is a crime dealt with under criminal law, while the other situations are private disputes dealt with under civil law. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

15. A shopkeeper sells goods that breach safety regulations and is investigated by the local council, which can bring the matter before the courts. This situation is best described as falling under which type of law?

1. Criminal law, because an authority investigates and the courts can punish the offence
2. Civil law, because it involves a shop and consumers
3. Neither criminal nor civil law
4. Civil law, because only individuals are involved

Crimes can be investigated by another authority such as a council and then punished by the courts, which makes this a matter of criminal law. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

16. If you need legal advice or assistance, which professional would you usually approach first?

1. A solicitor
2. A judge
3. A magistrate
4. A police officer

Solicitors are trained lawyers who give advice on legal matters and are usually the first point of contact when you need legal help. (gov.uk legal services guidance; Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law')

17. What is the role of a solicitor?

1. A trained lawyer who gives advice on legal matters and can take action on a client's behalf
2. A member of the public who sits on a jury
3. An elected official who sets local police priorities
4. An unpaid magistrate who hears minor criminal cases

A solicitor is a trained lawyer who provides advice on legal matters and can act for clients, for example by taking action on their behalf. (gov.uk legal services guidance; Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5)

18. You want to buy a house and need advice on the legal documents and the transfer of ownership. Which professional would normally handle this?

1. A solicitor
2. A barrister appearing in the Crown Court
3. A magistrate
4. A Police and Crime Commissioner

Solicitors handle everyday legal matters such as property transactions (conveyancing), giving advice and dealing with the necessary documents. (gov.uk legal services guidance; Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5)

19. A solicitor advertises a free or fixed-fee first appointment. Why might this be useful to someone with a legal problem?

1. It lets people get initial legal advice and understand their options before deciding how to proceed
2. It guarantees that they will win any court case
3. It means they will never have to pay any legal costs at all
4. It replaces the need for a court to make any decision

An initial low-cost or free appointment allows people to obtain advice and understand their options before committing to further action. (gov.uk and Citizens Advice guidance on getting legal advice)

20. Which of these organisations can provide free, independent advice on legal and other problems in the UK?

1. Citizens Advice
2. The Crown Court
3. The local council's planning office
4. The electoral register office

Citizens Advice is a well-known organisation that offers free, confidential and independent advice, including on legal matters. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5; Citizens Advice public guidance)

21. Where could you find the names of local solicitors and the areas of law they deal with?

1. In the local phone book, on the internet, or via the Citizens Advice Bureau
2. Only by asking a serving police officer
3. Only from a Police and Crime Commissioner
4. Only from a member of a jury

You can find solicitors through the phone book, the internet or organisations such as Citizens Advice, which can also point you to the right type of solicitor. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5; gov.uk legal services guidance)

22. Before choosing a solicitor for a legal matter, what is a sensible thing to check?

1. Whether the solicitor has experience in the relevant area of law and what the fees will be
2. Whether the solicitor is a serving magistrate
3. Whether the solicitor sits on the local jury
4. Whether the solicitor is the local Chief Constable

It is sensible to check that a solicitor handles the relevant area of law and to ask about fees before instructing them. (gov.uk and Citizens Advice guidance on choosing a solicitor)

23. A person on a low income faces a serious legal problem and is worried they cannot afford a solicitor. Which option could help them obtain legal help?

1. Seeking free advice from Citizens Advice or checking whether they qualify for legal aid
2. Demanding that the police pay their legal costs
3. Asking a jury member to represent them
4. Requiring a magistrate to give them private legal advice

People on low incomes can seek free advice from organisations such as Citizens Advice and may qualify for legal aid to help meet legal costs. (gov.uk legal aid guidance; Citizens Advice public guidance)

24. What does a solicitor do for a client who has a legal problem?

1. Gives legal advice and can prepare documents and take action on the client's behalf
2. Decides the verdict in a criminal trial
3. Sets the local policing budget
4. Chooses who sits on a jury

Solicitors give legal advice and can prepare paperwork and take action for their clients; they do not decide verdicts or set police budgets. (gov.uk legal services guidance; Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5)

25. You receive a letter saying you are being taken to a County Court over a disputed debt and you are unsure of your rights. What is a sensible first step?

1. Get legal advice, for example from a solicitor or Citizens Advice
2. Ignore the letter completely
3. Ask the police to attend the County Court hearing
4. Apply to become a magistrate

Getting legal advice from a solicitor or an organisation such as Citizens Advice helps you understand your rights and how to respond to a civil claim. (gov.uk and Citizens Advice guidance on civil disputes and legal advice)

26. Which statement best describes how solicitors fit into the UK legal system?

1. They are trained legal professionals who advise the public and can represent clients' interests, separate from judges who decide cases
2. They are members of the public chosen at random to decide guilt
3. They are unpaid volunteers who hear minor criminal cases
4. They are elected to set police priorities and budgets

Solicitors are trained legal professionals who advise and act for the public, which is distinct from the role of judges, juries, magistrates or commissioners. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5; gov.uk legal services guidance)

27. Which of the following is a way to obtain legal advice in the UK?

1. Consulting a solicitor or visiting a Citizens Advice Bureau
2. Reporting to a jury at the Crown Court
3. Writing to the Chief Constable
4. Voting for a Police and Crime Commissioner

Legal advice can be obtained from a solicitor or from advice organisations such as Citizens Advice; the other options relate to courts, police complaints and elections. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5; Citizens Advice public guidance)

28. Which of the following is one of the main duties of the police in the UK?

1. To protect life and property
2. To collect income tax from residents
3. To set the level of fines for all crimes
4. To decide which laws Parliament should pass

The role of the police is to protect life and property, prevent disturbances and prevent and detect crime. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law – The police and their duties')

29. The police in the UK are best described as which of the following?

1. A public service that helps and protects everyone, regardless of background
2. A private security firm employed only by the wealthy
3. A branch of the armed forces
4. A department that only investigates traffic offences

The police are a public service that helps and protects everyone, regardless of their background. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law – The police and their duties')

30. In which month and year were Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) first elected by the public in England and Wales?

1. November 2012
2. May 2010
3. January 2015
4. June 2008

In November 2012, the public elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law – The police and their duties')

31. Which of the following is a responsibility of an elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)?

1. Appointing the Chief Constable
2. Sentencing offenders in a Crown Court
3. Selecting members of the jury
4. Drafting new criminal legislation for Parliament

PCCs are elected to set local police priorities and the local policing budget, and they appoint the Chief Constable. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law – The police and their duties')

32. What are Police and Crime Commissioners elected to set at a local level?

1. Police priorities and the local policing budget
2. The national rate of income tax
3. University tuition fees
4. The opening hours of local courts

PCCs are elected to set local police priorities and the local policing budget and to appoint the Chief Constable. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law – The police and their duties')

33. Which of the following must police officers themselves do?

1. Obey the law
2. Ignore complaints made against them
3. Decide whether laws are fair before enforcing them
4. Work only for those who can pay for protection

Police officers must themselves obey the law and must not misuse their authority. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law – The police and their duties')

34. Which of the following is something a police officer must NOT do?

1. Commit racial discrimination
2. Help a member of the public who is lost
3. Investigate a reported burglary
4. Patrol a local neighbourhood

Police officers must not misuse their authority, make a false statement, be rude or abusive, or commit racial discrimination. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law – The police and their duties')

35. According to the official handbook, what happens to police officers who are found to be corrupt or to have misused their authority?

1. They are severely punished
2. They are given a written warning only and may continue
3. They are automatically promoted to a higher rank
4. They are simply moved to another police force with no consequences

If police officers are corrupt or misuse their authority, they are severely punished. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), Chapter 5, 'Respecting the law – The police and their duties')