Law AI

Question 1

What are the main types of judges in the UK judiciary?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What is the role of the Lord Chief Justice?

Answer 2

The most senior judge in the UK

The Lord Chief Justice oversees the judiciary and ensures the independence of the courts.

Question 3

Who is the Master of the Rolls?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What are the responsibilities of the President of the Supreme Court?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Who are the law officers in the UK legal system?

Answer 5

The Attorney General and the Solicitor General

They serve as the government’s chief legal advisers and represent the government in significant legal cases.

Question 6

What is the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)?

Answer 6

Head of the Crown Prosecution Service, responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales

The DPP oversees the independent prosecution of criminal offenses.

Question 7

What is the primary function of solicitors?

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

What distinguishes barristers from solicitors?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What are legal executives and their role?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What is the role of paralegals in the legal system?

Answer 10

Conduct legal work but are not formally qualified

Paralegals often assist solicitors and may pursue CILEX or other qualifications for advancement.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the head of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Answer 11

Director of Public Prosecutions

The DPP plays a critical role in the prosecution of criminal cases.

Question 12

True or False: The Master of the Rolls is responsible for criminal justice.

Answer 12

False

The Master of the Rolls oversees civil justice, not criminal justice.

Question 13

List the courts in which district judges typically serve.

Answer 13

Crown Court, County Court

District judges can also hear cases in other courts as needed.

Question 14

What is the primary function of the Court of Appeal?

Answer 14

Hears appeals only

The Court of Appeal has no first instance jurisdiction.

Question 15

To which court are appeals from the Court of Appeal referred?

Answer 15

Supreme Court

Appeals from the Court of Appeal go to the Supreme Court.

Question 16

What types of appeals does the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal handle?

Answer 16

Appeals from the High Court

The Civil Division specifically deals with civil cases.

Question 17

Which types of appeals does the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal handle?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

What is a condition under which a previous acquittal can be quashed?

Answer 18

New and compelling evidence

This allows for the reconsideration of previous decisions.

Question 19

What is the Supreme Court’s significance in the UK legal system?

Answer 19

It is the highest court in the UK, replacing the House of Lords in 2009

The Supreme Court primarily hears appeals.

Question 20

What type of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have?

Answer 20

Limited first-instance jurisdiction

Mostly hears appeals, and its decisions cannot be appealed.

Question 21

What is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

Answer 21

A final appeal court for some Commonwealth countries and Crown Dependencies

It provides ultimate legal decisions for these regions.

Question 22

What is a Tribunal?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

List some advantages of using a tribunal over the court system.

Answer 23

• 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.

Question 24

What is the structure of tribunals?

Answer 24

First-Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, Specialist Tribunals

Each tier serves different functions and handles various types of cases.

Question 25

What is the function of the First-Tier Tribunal?

Answer 25

Starting point for most cases, split into seven Chambers

Each Chamber focuses on specific areas of law.

Question 26

What does the Upper Tribunal do?

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

What is the Employment Tribunal?

Answer 27

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.