Civil Law vs Criminal Law Flashcards
Criminal law is about the interactions between…
The state and individuals
Civil law is about the interactions between…
Individuals
The aim and purpose of criminal law is to…
- To maintain law and order
- To protect society
The aim and purpose of civil law is…
To uphold the rights of individuals
Who starts the case in criminal law?
The State, through the police or the Crown Prosecution Service
Who starts the case in civil law?
The individual whose rights have been affected
What’s the legal name for the person who starts the case in criminal law?
The prosecutor
What’s the legal name for the person who starts the case in civil law?
The claimant
Where are the criminal law cases heard?
- Magistrates court
- Crown court
- Court of appeal criminal division
- Supreme Court
Where are civil law cases heard?
- County court
- High court
- Court of appeal
The standard of proof needed in a criminal law case…
Beyond all reasonable doubt
The standard of proof needed in a civil law case…
On the balance of probabilities
The verdict in a criminal law trial is…
Guilty or not guilty
The verdict in a civil law trial is…
Liable or not liable
The powers of the criminal court are…
The magistrate/judge decides the sentence, including prison, fines and community orders
