Tudors and Stuarts Government and Politics Courts of Law

The Courts of Law The main law courts all met in Westminster Palace There were three common law courts:  Queen’s Bench  Common Pleas  Court of Exchequer

The Courts of Law-Queen’s Bench The Queen’s Bench dealt with criminal cases

The Courts of Law-Common Pleas The court of Common Pleas heard civil cases

The Courts of Law-Court of Exchequer The Court of Exchequer heard financial cases especially concerning taxation

The Courts of Law-Judges Judges travelled around the countryside in a circuit to hear cases applicable to the common law courts

The Courts of Law- Courts of Equity Courts of equity could override the common law courts

The Courts of Law- Courts of Equity -Chancery Chancery was flexible but also bound by precedent

The Courts of Law-Courts of Equity -Court of Requests A court to give quick justice to the poor

The Courts of Law-Court of Star Chamber Headed by the Lord Chancellor Established to maintain peace To ensure justice was fair in the other courts

The Courts of Law-Other Places Because of their distance from London, areas in Wales and the border near Scotland had separate regional councils set up These were the Council of the Marches of Wales and Council of the North These councils performed the roles of the Privy Council, Star Chamber and central law courts

Bibliography History volume 2, Britain , by Robin Silcock, Longman Paul, Auckland,

REVISION: When you have completed the PowerPoints and related worksheets get students to mind-map the ‘Government and Politics’ topics covered: The Crown The Privy Council Courts of Law Local Government Parliament’ If you are unfamiliar with the basic concepts of mind-mapping then check the ‘Mind mapping with Tony Buzan’ video found on the site and show‘Mind mapping with Tony Buzan’