English Legal System Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What are the 3 divisions of the high court?

A

Queen’s Bench, Chancery and Family divisions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What happens at the end of a hearing in the county court or high Court?

A

Judge decides:
1. Liability
2. Compensation payable
3. Any other remedy
4. Who pays costs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does the chancery division of the high Court deal with?

A
  1. Disputes over property, business or land where more than £100k is in issue.
  2. Trust disputes.
  3. Contentious probate claims.
  4. Disputes about partnerships
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which court deals with contract claims under £10,000?

A

The small claims track within the county court

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which high Court division deals with contract and tort claims where over £100k is involved?

A

The queen’s bench division.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a “claim”?

A

An action in a civil court.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How is a civil claim started?

A

Form N1 is completed and filed with a County Court or a high court office or online if a debt. A fee is payable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the three tracks that a civil case can be allocated to?

A

Small claims track, fast track or multi track

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Where do you appeal a county court decision by a district judge to?

A

A single circuit judge of the same court.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where do you appeal a circuit judge devision to?

A

Court of appeal civil division, unless it is a leapfrog appeal to the supreme Court.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is mediation

A

A compromise reached with the help of a neutral person.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is conciliation?

A

A process where the conciliator plays an active role suggesting grounds for compromise.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is arbitration?

A

Where both parties agree to let a neutral arbitrator decide their dispute.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the main advantages of ADR?

A

Cheaper, quicker, less confrontation so parties can remain on good terms.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the main disadvantages of ADR?

A

One of the parties is jnwilling and unwilling to be bound by it. Mediation can be formal and complicated. A conciliator can force a resolution.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the least serious offences called that have to be tried in the magistrates court?

A

Summary offences

17
Q

What are the most serious offences called that have to be tried in the crown court?

A

Indictable offences

18
Q

What does it mean if an offence is said to be triable either way?

A

Can be tried either in the magistrates or crown court. All guilty pleas are sentenced in the magistrates court. On a not guilty plea the magistrates decide whether to hear it or transfer to crown court.

19
Q

Where does the first hearing take place on a charge of an indictable offence?

A

The magistrates court. Deals with bail or custody and legal aid and identify then transfers to Crown court for plea and trial preparation hearing.

20
Q

What are the five aims of sentencing?

A
  1. Punishment
  2. Reduction of crime by deterrence
  3. Reform and rehabilitation.
  4. Protection of the public.
  5. Reparations to victims.
21
Q

For what offence is a mandatory life sentence given?

A

Murder.

22
Q

When is a whole life sentence made?

A

Where the judge decides the offender is so dangerous that they should never be released from prison.