Law AI Flashcards
What are the main types of judges in the UK judiciary?
Justices of the Supreme Court, Lord/Lady Justices of Appeal, High Court judges, Circuit judges, Recorders, District judges
These judges serve in various courts including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Crown Court, and County Court.
What is the role of the Lord Chief Justice?
The most senior judge in the UK
The Lord Chief Justice oversees the judiciary and ensures the independence of the courts.
Who is the Master of the Rolls?
Head of Civil Justice and President of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal
This position is crucial for the administration of civil justice in England and Wales.
What are the responsibilities of the President of the Supreme Court?
Responsible for the administration of the Supreme Court
The President also plays a key role in case management and the overall functioning of the court.
Who are the law officers in the UK legal system?
The Attorney General and the Solicitor General
They serve as the government’s chief legal advisers and represent the government in significant legal cases.
What is the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)?
Head of the Crown Prosecution Service, responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales
The DPP oversees the independent prosecution of criminal offenses.
What is the primary function of solicitors?
To deal with a wide range of legal topics and represent clients in lower courts
Solicitors have limited ‘rights of audience’ and may instruct barristers for higher courts.
What distinguishes barristers from solicitors?
Barristers are self-employed lawyers who represent clients in court and provide legal opinions
They are typically instructed by solicitors and can draft legal documents.
What are legal executives and their role?
Qualified lawyers who can undertake specific legal activities such as advocacy and litigation
Legal executives often have specialized training and can perform similar tasks as solicitors.
What is the role of paralegals in the legal system?
Conduct legal work but are not formally qualified
Paralegals often assist solicitors and may pursue CILEX or other qualifications for advancement.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the head of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Director of Public Prosecutions
The DPP plays a critical role in the prosecution of criminal cases.
True or False: The Master of the Rolls is responsible for criminal justice.
False
The Master of the Rolls oversees civil justice, not criminal justice.
List the courts in which district judges typically serve.
Crown Court, County Court
District judges can also hear cases in other courts as needed.
What is the primary function of the Court of Appeal?
Hears appeals only
The Court of Appeal has no first instance jurisdiction.
To which court are appeals from the Court of Appeal referred?
Supreme Court
Appeals from the Court of Appeal go to the Supreme Court.
What types of appeals does the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal handle?
Appeals from the High Court
The Civil Division specifically deals with civil cases.
Which types of appeals does the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal handle?
Appeals on indictable offences from the Crown Court, County Court, Upper Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal, reopening of cases
It also includes cases where a previous acquittal can be quashed due to new evidence.
What is a condition under which a previous acquittal can be quashed?
New and compelling evidence
This allows for the reconsideration of previous decisions.
What is the Supreme Court’s significance in the UK legal system?
It is the highest court in the UK, replacing the House of Lords in 2009
The Supreme Court primarily hears appeals.
What type of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have?
Limited first-instance jurisdiction
Mostly hears appeals, and its decisions cannot be appealed.
What is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?
A final appeal court for some Commonwealth countries and Crown Dependencies
It provides ultimate legal decisions for these regions.
What is a Tribunal?
A panel typically made up of two subject matter experts and one legally qualified chairperson/judge
Tribunals serve as an alternative to the court system.
List some advantages of using a tribunal over the court system.
- Cheaper
- Quicker
- More informal
- Not bound by precedent
- Easier to have cases heard
- Less publicity
These advantages make tribunals an appealing option for dispute resolution.
What is the structure of tribunals?
First-Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, Specialist Tribunals
Each tier serves different functions and handles various types of cases.
What is the function of the First-Tier Tribunal?
Starting point for most cases, split into seven Chambers
Each Chamber focuses on specific areas of law.
What does the Upper Tribunal do?
Hears appeals from the First Tier, split into four specialised Chambers
Appeals from the Upper Tribunal can go to the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.
What is the Employment Tribunal?
A specialist tribunal for employment-related cases
Appeals from this tribunal go to the Employment Appeal Tribunal, then to the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.
