Living and working in the UK: government and law

1.1: Constitution, for example:

• defines rules for how a country is governed
• sets out laws, rights, responsibilities for citizens and leaders
• devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

1.2: Constitutional organisations, for example:

• Parliament (House of Commons and House of Lords)
• Government (Prime Minister and Cabinet)
• Judiciary (Courts and Judges)

2.1: Democracy, for example:

• system where people vote to choose leaders
• everyone has a say in decisions through elections

2.2: Key elements of parliamentary democracy, for example:

• Parliament makes laws and decisions for the country
• citizens vote for Members of Parliament (MPs) in elections
• Prime Minister leads the government

2.3: The make-up and role, for example:

• House of Commons: made up of elected MPs who debate/make laws
• House of Lords: reviews/suggests changes to laws, includes Lords and Bishops

2.4: Role of the monarch, for example:

• King/Queen is the Head of State
• has a ceremonial role
• approves laws but does not make decisions

3.1: Commonwealth, for example:

• a group of 56 countries that work together on trade, education, human rights

3.1: European Union (EU), for example:

• the UK left the EU in 2020 but still cooperates on trade and security

3.2: International organisations of which Britain is a member, for example:

• United Nations (UN)
• NATO
• World Health Organisation (WHO) 

4.1: Equal treatment under the law, for example:

• everyone is treated the same, regardless of race, gender, religion, background
• laws apply to everyone equally

4.2: Two main types of law, for example:

• civil law:
• personal disputes
• divorce
• consumer rights
• property/housing
• employment rights

• criminal law:
• crimes usually investigated by the Police like theft, assault, or murder

4.3: Different civil and criminal laws, for example:

• civil laws:
• tenant disputes
• divorce settlements

• criminal laws:
• speeding
• theft
• vandalism

4.4: Possible consequences for individuals, for example:

• fines
• prison
• community service/orders
• suspended prison sentence
• electronic tagging

5.1: Judge, for example:

• ensures the trial is fair and decides the sentence

5.1: Jury, for example:

• a group of 12 people who decide if someone is guilty or innocent

5.1: Magistrate or Justice of the Peace, for example:

• decides minor cases, for example, speeding, small thefts
• no jury is involved

5.2: Civil, for example:

• County Court
• Family Court

5.2: Criminal, for example:

• Magistrates’ Court
• Crown Court