Living and working in the UK: government and law

Give a definition of the term ‘constitution’.

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

Give examples of different constitutional organisations in the UK.

1.2: Constitutional organisations, for example:

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

Give a definition of the term ‘democracy’.

2.1: Democracy, for example:

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

Outline the key elements of parliamentary democracy in the UK.

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

Outline the make-up and role of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

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

Outline the role of the monarch in the UK system of government.

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

Outline the UK’s involvement with the:

• Commonwealth
• European Union.

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

Identify other international organisations of which Britain is a member.

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

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

State what is meant by ‘equal treatment under the law’.

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

Outline the two main types of law in the UK.

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

Give examples of different civil and criminal laws in the UK.

4.3: Different civil and criminal laws, for example:

• civil laws:
• tenant disputes
• divorce settlements

• criminal laws:
• speeding
• theft
• vandalism

Outline possible consequences for individuals of breaking the law.

4.4: Possible consequences for individuals, for example:

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

Describe the role of:

• The judge and jury in a Crown or Sheriff’s court
• The magistrate or Justice of the Peace in a Magistrates’ or Justice of the Peace court

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

Identify which UK courts deal with:

• Civil cases
• Criminal cases

5.2: Civil, for example:

• County Court
• Family Court

5.2: Criminal, for example:

• Magistrates’ Court
• Crown Court