British Civilisation
Law
Police force (11)
Bobbies – The British police officers. Named after the shortened name of
Robert Peel
New Scotland Yard – Is the well-known building which is the headquarters of
its Criminal
Investigation Department. (CID)
Metropolitan Police – police greater London and over which central
government has more direct
control.
Criminal vs Civil law (11)
Magistrates’ court – 90% of all cases are dealt with in this court. Even
serious criminal
cases are first heard in this court and JP´s need to
decide if there is a possibility if he or she is guilty .
Justices of the peace – Magistrates who are not trained lawyers. They
ordinary people of
good reputation who have been appointed to the job by
a local
committee.
Trial by jury – A jury of peers decide whether you are guilty (12
people, 15 in
Scotland)
Crown court – for the more serious cases where a professional
lawyer act as the
Judge
Court of Criminal Appeal - where a convicted person can appeal to have the
conviction quashed
or have the sentence reduced.
Central Criminal Court - When the Crown Court sits in the City of London
Old Bailey - The Central criminal court in London. Named after the
street on
which it stands.
Supreme Court – highest court in the UK. It hears matters of important
points of law,
mostly civil cases. It also hears some criminal cases of
great public
importance.
Inns of Court – ancient institutions resembling Oxbridge colleges
(for education of
barristers)
Solicitors/barrister – two kind of lawyers. You have solicitors and
barristers. Barristers are
more highly educated.
Gowns and wigs – Barristers and judges in higher courts still wear them to
emphasize
the impersonal majesty of the law
, queen’s Counsel – from who’s ranks judges are appointed.
Scotland own legal system – basis of its law is closer to Roman and Dutch law
and has an extra verdict known as not proven.
Crown prosecution Service – the party who make the claim in a criminal court
case.
Common law basis of the legal system of the United Kingdom – it was the alco-
saxon comcept of common law, and not the Roma law
which formed the basis of the legal system.
Government
Elections (10)
Pairing system – The habit of cooperation among political parties
in Britain
“First past the post” voting method – It is coming first that matters. ( an allusion
to horse racing /
winner takes all)
A winner-take-all system – they will receive the most seats.
Labour, Liberal democrats, Tories – British political parties
- Labour: left of centre; stands for equality, for the weaker
people in
the society and more government involvement in
the economy; more concerned to provide full
social services than to keep income tax low.
- Liberal democrats: Regarded as centre of slightly left of the
centre; in facour of
greater unification with the EU; more emphasis
on the environment than other parties; believes
in giving greater powers to local government and
reform of the electoral system.
- Tories ( Conservatives) Right of the centre; stands for hierarchical
authority and
minimal government interference in the
economy; likes to reduce income tax; hives high
priority to national defence and internal law and
order.
Monarchy (7)
Title “Defender of the Faith” – Kink Henry VIII received this title for a
written polemic against
Protestantism.
Fidei Defensor – means defender of the fait. Initials of FD still
appear on
British coins today.
The right to summon and dissolve Parliament – The queen has this right. ( but
is asked by prime minister)
The right to refuse or approve a bill passed by parliament – The queen has
this right but in
modern practice it is always
approved.
Law
Police force (11)
Bobbies – The British police officers. Named after the shortened name of
Robert Peel
New Scotland Yard – Is the well-known building which is the headquarters of
its Criminal
Investigation Department. (CID)
Metropolitan Police – police greater London and over which central
government has more direct
control.
Criminal vs Civil law (11)
Magistrates’ court – 90% of all cases are dealt with in this court. Even
serious criminal
cases are first heard in this court and JP´s need to
decide if there is a possibility if he or she is guilty .
Justices of the peace – Magistrates who are not trained lawyers. They
ordinary people of
good reputation who have been appointed to the job by
a local
committee.
Trial by jury – A jury of peers decide whether you are guilty (12
people, 15 in
Scotland)
Crown court – for the more serious cases where a professional
lawyer act as the
Judge
Court of Criminal Appeal - where a convicted person can appeal to have the
conviction quashed
or have the sentence reduced.
Central Criminal Court - When the Crown Court sits in the City of London
Old Bailey - The Central criminal court in London. Named after the
street on
which it stands.
Supreme Court – highest court in the UK. It hears matters of important
points of law,
mostly civil cases. It also hears some criminal cases of
great public
importance.
Inns of Court – ancient institutions resembling Oxbridge colleges
(for education of
barristers)
Solicitors/barrister – two kind of lawyers. You have solicitors and
barristers. Barristers are
more highly educated.
Gowns and wigs – Barristers and judges in higher courts still wear them to
emphasize
the impersonal majesty of the law
, queen’s Counsel – from who’s ranks judges are appointed.
Scotland own legal system – basis of its law is closer to Roman and Dutch law
and has an extra verdict known as not proven.
Crown prosecution Service – the party who make the claim in a criminal court
case.
Common law basis of the legal system of the United Kingdom – it was the alco-
saxon comcept of common law, and not the Roma law
which formed the basis of the legal system.
Government
Elections (10)
Pairing system – The habit of cooperation among political parties
in Britain
“First past the post” voting method – It is coming first that matters. ( an allusion
to horse racing /
winner takes all)
A winner-take-all system – they will receive the most seats.
Labour, Liberal democrats, Tories – British political parties
- Labour: left of centre; stands for equality, for the weaker
people in
the society and more government involvement in
the economy; more concerned to provide full
social services than to keep income tax low.
- Liberal democrats: Regarded as centre of slightly left of the
centre; in facour of
greater unification with the EU; more emphasis
on the environment than other parties; believes
in giving greater powers to local government and
reform of the electoral system.
- Tories ( Conservatives) Right of the centre; stands for hierarchical
authority and
minimal government interference in the
economy; likes to reduce income tax; hives high
priority to national defence and internal law and
order.
Monarchy (7)
Title “Defender of the Faith” – Kink Henry VIII received this title for a
written polemic against
Protestantism.
Fidei Defensor – means defender of the fait. Initials of FD still
appear on
British coins today.
The right to summon and dissolve Parliament – The queen has this right. ( but
is asked by prime minister)
The right to refuse or approve a bill passed by parliament – The queen has
this right but in
modern practice it is always
approved.
