## Learning Outcomes

- Explain the difference between criminal law and civil law in the UK
- Identify typical examples of criminal offences and civil disputes
- Know which courts deal with criminal cases and civil cases across the UK
- Understand how juries are used in serious criminal trials
- Recognise practical routes for resolving small civil claims, including online claims

## Life in the UK Test Syllabus

For the Life in the UK Test, you are expected to understand how UK law is divided into criminal and civil law, with a focus on the following syllabus points:

- Define criminal law (crimes investigated and punished by the state) and civil law (disputes between individuals or organisations)
- Identify examples of criminal offences (for example weapons, drugs, racial harassment, underage sales, smoking restrictions, domestic violence)
- Identify examples of civil law disputes (for example housing/tenancy issues, consumer problems, employment disputes, debt)
- Know the main criminal courts (Magistrates’ Court/Justice of the Peace Court; Crown Court/Sheriff Court; and the High Court for the most serious cases in Scotland)
- Know the main civil courts (County Court/High Court; Sheriff Court/Court of Session) and the small claims limits (£10,000 in England and Wales; £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Understand that serious criminal cases can involve a jury (12 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; 15 in Scotland), chosen from the electoral register

## Test Your Knowledge

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. What is the key difference between criminal law and civil law?
2. Which courts usually deal with minor criminal offences in (a) England/Wales/Northern Ireland and (b) Scotland?
3. Name two examples of criminal offences and two examples of civil disputes.
4. What are the small claims limits in (a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland and Northern Ireland?
5. How many people are on a jury in (a) England/Wales/Northern Ireland and (b) Scotland?

## Introduction

The UK expects everyone who lives here to obey the law, and the Life in the UK Test checks that you understand the basics of the legal system. A common exam topic is the difference between criminal law and civil law, and which courts deal with each type of case.

The core idea is simple: criminal law is about offences against the state (and can lead to punishment), while civil law is about disagreements between people or organisations (and aims to settle the dispute).

> **Key Term: equal treatment under the law**
> The principle that the law applies in the same way to everyone in the UK, regardless of who they are or where they are from.

### Criminal law: crimes, investigation, and punishment

Criminal law deals with behaviour that Parliament has made a crime. Criminal cases are usually investigated by the police (or another authority, such as a local council in some regulatory matters). If there is enough evidence, a criminal case can go to court, and the court can punish the person who is found guilty.

The purpose of criminal law is to protect the public and maintain order. A criminal conviction can lead to penalties such as a fine, a community sentence, or imprisonment (depending on the seriousness).

> **Key Term: criminal law**
> The part of the law dealing with crimes, usually investigated by the police or another authority and punished by the courts.

#### Examples you should know for the test (criminal)

The test often focuses on clear, everyday examples from official materials. You should recognise these as criminal offences in the UK:

- **Carrying a weapon**: it is a criminal offence to carry a weapon, even if you say it is for self-defence. This includes guns and knives, and also objects made or adapted to cause injury.
- **Illegal drugs**: buying or selling drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis is illegal.
- **Racial and religious harassment**: it is a criminal offence to cause harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin.
- **Selling tobacco to under-18s**: it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 18.
- **Smoking restrictions**: it is against the law to smoke tobacco in nearly all enclosed public places in the UK.
- **Buying or selling alcohol to under-18s**: it is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to under 18s or to buy alcohol for people under 18 (with a limited exception: 16–17-year-olds can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal in a hotel or restaurant if accompanied by an adult).
- **Domestic violence**: violence at home is treated as serious crime; forced sex within marriage can be prosecuted as rape.

> **Test Tip:** In questions that ask “civil or criminal?”, focus on the outcome. If the aim is punishment after a police investigation, it is almost always criminal law. If it is about compensation, a contract, or a disagreement between private parties, it is usually civil law.

### Civil law: disputes, rights, and remedies

Civil law is used to settle disputes between people or groups (for example a person and a company, or a landlord and a tenant). In civil cases, the court is not usually deciding whether someone is “guilty”. Instead, it decides who is legally responsible and what should be done to put the problem right.

Civil cases commonly result in an order to pay money (compensation or repayment of debt) or a court order requiring someone to do something or stop doing something.

> **Key Term: civil law**
> The part of the law used to resolve disputes between individuals or groups, often by ordering compensation or another remedy.

#### Examples you should know for the test (civil)

The Life in the UK materials highlight common civil law areas:

- **Housing law**: disputes between landlords and tenants, including repairs and eviction.
- **Consumer rights**: disputes about faulty goods or poor services.
- **Employment law**: disputes about wages, unfair dismissal, or workplace discrimination.
- **Debt**: claims brought because someone owes money.

Civil law covers many day-to-day problems. For example, if a builder does not finish agreed work and you want your money back, that is normally a civil claim. If someone steals your phone, that is a criminal offence.

> **Test Tip:** The same event can lead to both types of case. For example, an assault is a criminal matter (police investigation and possible prosecution), but the victim may also bring a civil claim for compensation. In the test, read what the question is asking: punishment (criminal) or settling a dispute/claim (civil).

### Which courts deal with criminal and civil cases?

The UK has different courts for criminal cases and civil cases, and the names vary across the UK. The test expects you to know the main court types and the basic difference between them.

#### Criminal courts (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland)

Minor criminal cases

- In **England, Wales and Northern Ireland**, most minor offences are dealt with in a **Magistrates’ Court**.
- In **Scotland**, minor criminal offences are dealt with in a **Justice of the Peace Court**.

Magistrates (and Justices of the Peace) are local people who usually work unpaid and do not need formal legal qualifications, though they receive training and are supported by a legal adviser. In Northern Ireland, minor cases are usually heard by a legally qualified **District Judge** (who is paid).

Serious criminal cases

- In **England, Wales and Northern Ireland**, serious offences are tried in the **Crown Court** in front of a judge and usually a jury.
- In **Scotland**, serious cases are heard in the **Sheriff Court** (sometimes with a jury). The most serious cases, such as murder, are heard in the **High Court** with a judge and jury.

> **Key Term: judiciary**
> Judges as a group, responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring trials are fair; the government cannot interfere with their decisions in individual cases.

#### Juries in criminal trials

A **jury** is a group of members of the public who listen to the evidence and help decide the verdict in certain serious criminal trials.

- In **England, Wales and Northern Ireland**, a jury has **12** members.
- In **Scotland**, a jury has **15** members.

Jurors are chosen at random from the **electoral register**. People who are summoned must do jury service unless they are not eligible or have a valid reason to be excused (for example, serious ill health).

> **Key Term: jury**
> A group of members of the public selected from the electoral register to decide a verdict in a serious criminal trial.

#### Civil courts (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland)

Civil cases are generally heard without a jury. They are decided by a judge (or sometimes by a tribunal in specialist areas, though the core Life in the UK focus is on courts).

Civil disputes

- In **England, Wales and Northern Ireland**, most civil disputes are dealt with in the **County Court**.
- In **Scotland**, these disputes are mainly handled in the **Sheriff Court**.

These disputes include debt, personal injury claims, family matters, breaches of contract, and divorce.

Serious civil cases

- In **England, Wales and Northern Ireland**, more serious civil cases (for example where large compensation is claimed) go to the **High Court**.
- In **Scotland**, these go to the **Court of Session** in **Edinburgh**.

> **Key Term: remedy**
> The outcome a civil court can order to resolve a dispute, such as compensation (damages) or an order requiring someone to do or stop something.

### Small claims: a simple way to resolve minor disputes

For many everyday disagreements—faulty goods, unpaid money, minor contract problems—the law provides a simplified process called the **small claims procedure**. The aim is to help people resolve smaller disputes without spending large amounts of time and money.

Small claims limits (important numbers for the test)

- **England and Wales:** small claims for claims under **£10,000**
- **Scotland and Northern Ireland:** small claims for claims under **£3,000**

Small claims hearings are informal compared with other courts: the hearing is usually held in an ordinary room with a judge, and both sides sit around a table. You do not have to be a legal expert to use this process.

There is also an online option for many money claims:

- **Money Claims Online**: an online route to issue a small claim for money.

> **Test Tip:** Memorise the small-claims limits as two numbers: **£10,000** (England and Wales) and **£3,000** (Scotland and Northern Ireland). These figures are easy marks in multiple-choice questions.

### Getting legal advice: solicitors and free support

Not everyone needs a lawyer for every problem (especially in small claims), but many people need advice before taking action. In the UK, a common first step is to consult a solicitor or a free advice service.

**Solicitors** are trained lawyers who advise clients, prepare legal documents, communicate with the other side, and can represent clients in court. Solicitors often specialise (for example in family law, employment law, or housing). It is normal to ask about costs at the start, because fees are commonly based on time spent on the case.

Citizens Advice can help people understand options and can often suggest where to get further help.

> **Key Term: solicitor**
> A trained lawyer who gives legal advice, acts for clients, and can represent them in court.

## Key Point Checklist

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- UK law applies equally to everyone (equal treatment under the law)
- Criminal law deals with crimes, usually investigated by police or another authority and punished by the courts
- Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organisations and aims to resolve the problem (often through compensation or a court order)
- Examples of criminal offences include carrying a weapon, buying or selling illegal drugs, racial/religious harassment, and selling tobacco to under-18s
- Examples of civil disputes include housing and tenancy issues, consumer rights disputes, employment disagreements, and debt claims
- Minor criminal cases are usually heard in Magistrates’ Courts (England/Wales/Northern Ireland) or Justice of the Peace Courts (Scotland)
- Serious criminal cases are tried in Crown Courts (England/Wales/Northern Ireland) and serious Scottish cases can be in the Sheriff Court; the most serious go to the High Court in Scotland
- Civil disputes are mainly dealt with in County Courts (England/Wales/Northern Ireland) and Sheriff Courts (Scotland); major civil cases go to the High Court or Court of Session (Edinburgh)
- Juries decide verdicts in serious criminal cases: 12 members in England/Wales/Northern Ireland and 15 in Scotland, selected from the electoral register
- Small claims limits are under £10,000 in England and Wales and under £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and money claims can be issued through Money Claims Online
- Solicitors give legal advice and can represent clients, and it is sensible to ask about costs at the start

## Key Terms and Concepts

- equal treatment under the law
- criminal law
- civil law
- judiciary
- jury
- remedy
- solicitor


Law, courts, and justice - Criminal and civil law