1. Learning about the law
This diagram shows a simplification of the hierarchy of courts in England and Wales
Supreme Court
Civil and criminal cases
Court of Appeal
Criminal and civil cases
High Court
Civil cases
Magistrates’ Court
Trial for most criminal offences
Some civil matters
County Court
Most civil cases
Crown Court
Criminal cases
Criminal justice system: Yellow
Civil system: blue
Both: Orange
The “crime/no crime” game should lead into a discussion about the differences between criminal and civil law. The key differences between the two types of law are on the slides, and are as follows:
Different remedies (in criminal proceedings the outcome is either an acquittal or the imposition of a punishment (prison, a fine, or a community penalty). In civil proceedings, the outcome is either that the claimant loses, or receives an award of damages (usually money))
Different parties and party names (in criminal cases, the two parties are the government and the “defendant” or the person accused of the crime, whereas civil cases are brought by private parties called the claimant and defendant)
Different balance of probabilities. For someone to be found guilty of a crime, guilt must be proved “beyond reasonable doubt”. In civil cases, the claimant must prove their case “on the balance of probabilities”.
Q: Which do pupils think is harder to prove?
A: The first.
Different courts (especially at the lower level)
If pupils are interested, you may wish to show them the diagram of the courts with the explanation of the role of each.
The diagram on this slide gives a good overview of the hierarchy of the criminal and civil law court system. You may feel that this is adequate or you may like to discuss each court in more detail using the slides following this. This may depend on how much time you have left and how confident you feel talking about the courts and appeal system.
For more information on these different types of court see:

2. Trial for most criminal offences
Learning about the law
Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
High Court
Crown Court
County courts hear trials for most civil cases
County Court
Most civil cases
Magistrates’ Court
Trial for most criminal offences
Some civil matters

3. Trial for most criminal offences
Learning about the law
Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
High Court
Magistrates are volunteers who don’t need legal qualifications. Magistrates’ courts hear trials for less serious criminal offences, and some civil cases.
Crown Court
County Court
Most civil cases
Magistrates’ Court
Trial for most criminal offences
Some civil matters

4. Trial for most criminal offences
Learning about the law
Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
High Court
Crown Court
Crown courts hear trials for more serious criminal offences, and appeals from Magistrates’ courts.
County Court
Most civil cases
Magistrates’ Court
Trial for most criminal offences
Some civil matters

5. Trial for most criminal offences
Learning about the law
Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
High Court
Crown Court
The High Court hears appeals from different courts.
Magistrates’ Court
Trial for most criminal offences
Some civil matters
County Court
Most civil cases

6. Trial for most criminal offences
Learning about the law
Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
High Court
Crown Court
The Court of Appeal only hears appeals on points of law. It hears criminal and civil appeals.
County Court
Most civil cases
Magistrates’ Court
Trial for most criminal offences
Some civil matters

7. Trial for most criminal offences
Learning about the law
Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
High Court
Crown Court
The Supreme Court hears final appeals on points of law. It can hear criminal and civil appeals.
Magistrates’ Court
Trial for most criminal offences
Some civil matters
Consider
Q: Until 2009, the Supreme Court was part of the House of Lords. The House of Lords and House of Commons are the two Houses of Parliament. Parliament makes the laws in Britain. Why do you think the Supreme Court was created in 2009?
A: Although the judges in the House of Lords did not vote on laws as they passed through Parliament, many people thought that the highest court in the country should be more independent of Parliament and law-makers. Therefore, the Supreme Court was created as a more independent body.
County Court
Most civil cases

8. Learning about the law
Test your knowledge!
Complete the quiz in pairs to test your knowledge about civil and criminal law.
Once pupils begin to understand the difference between criminal and civil law, they can complete the quiz called “Criminal or Civil?” (worksheet 2). The answers to the quiz questions can be found on the following slide.
Alternatively, an interactive Kahoots quiz can be used via this link:

9. Criminal or Civil? The answers…
Learning about the law
Criminal or Civil? The answers…
A. Someone deliberately takes something from a shop without paying for it.
Criminal law – theft is an offence.
B. A bus shelter is smashed and covered in graffiti.
Criminal law – criminal damage is an offence.
C. You buy an MP3 player that stops working after two weeks.
Civil law – consumers generally have the right to a refund if they purchase something that is not of satisfactory quality.
D. You download a lot of music from the internet without paying.
Criminal and civil law – breach of copyright is a criminal offence. It also becomes a civil matter if the owner of the copyright tries to obtain compensation for the losses that they have suffered.

10. Criminal or Civil? The answers…
Learning about the law
Criminal or Civil? The answers…
E. Your neighbours play loud music at night, which stops you from sleeping.
Criminal and civil law – Noise abatement is a civil matter and can lead to claims for compensation. It can also be a criminal offence and prosecution can lead to fines or forfeiture of the noise-making equipment.
F. You apply for a part-time job, but are turned down. You believe it is because of your ethnicity.
Civil law –
Unlawful discrimination is a civil matter.
G. You’re in a hurry, and take a short cut across what you know is private land.
Civil law –
Despite notices saying ‘trespassers will be prosecuted’, this type of trespass is invariably not a criminal offence if it belongs to private individuals.
H. A married couple split up and can’t agree who will look after their child.
Civil law –
In this case, a court would decide on the arrangements that would be in the best interests of the child.