lay- legal personnel

Question 1

what is a lay people

Answer 1

refers to anyone involved in the judiciary who does NOT have any legal qualifications.

Question 2

two types of lay people

Answer 2

magistrates
juries

Question 3

what are magistrate

Answer 3

trained members of the community who volunteer their crime

Question 4

magistrate must be what

Answer 4

18 to 70

Question 5

how are magistrates selected

Answer 5

in line with criteria set out by the local advisory committee

Question 6

what will the selected magistrate go under

Answer 6

interviews to assess their judgement and impartiality

Question 7

what do magistrates handle

Answer 7

minor criminal offences and preliminary hearings

Question 8

magistrates are guide by who

Answer 8

legal adviser to provide legal knowledge and expertise

Question 9

what are magistrates responsible for

Answer 9

Responsible for deciding verdicts and sentences of summary offences (no MR, e,g. Traffic offences or minor assaults)

Question 10

what can magistrates conduct

Answer 10

conduct initial hearings for indictable only offences before they go to crown court

Question 11

what are magistrates limit to sentencing wise

Answer 11

to sentencing up to 6 months imprisonment and can issue fines up to a set limit

Question 12

how are jury members elected

Answer 12

summoned at random

Question 13

juries must be what (resident)

Answer 13

Must be resident of the UK for at least 5 years since the age of 13

Question 14

who wont be eligible for jury

Answer 14

serious criminal convictions, severe MH issues or currently on bail)

Question 15

both defence and prosecution can do what with jury

Answer 15

can challenge a juror if there are concerns of impartiality

Question 16

what the aim for jury service

Answer 16

Aims to ensure a diverse cross section of society

Question 17

what are juries mainly used in

Answer 17

serious criminal cases (e.g. Murder, GBH or Rape)

Question 18

what do the jury determine

Answer 18

Determine guilt based solely on the evidence and testimonies provided within court

Question 19

what do judges do with jury’s verdict

Answer 19

Judge then imposes a sentence based on the decision of the jury

Question 20

what a legal executive

Answer 20

people who are legally qualified, e.g. Barristers, solicitors, judges and legal executives

Question 21

what do barristers do in court

Answer 21

Representing people in court

Question 22

what do barrister advice

Answer 22

Advising clients on their cases’ strengths and weaknesses and negotiable settlements outside of court

Question 23

what do barristers prepare

Answer 23

Prepare legal arguments and court briefs

Question 24

what do barristers regulated

Answer 24

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Question 25

what do solicitors with clients

Answer 25

Talk to clients, offering legal advice and drafting documents

Question 26

what do solicitors specialist in what laws

Answer 26

in areas like family law or property law

Question 27

solicitors can gain what

Answer 27

Can gain higher rights to audience to represent courts in higher courts (like barristers would)

Question 28

solicitors are regulated by what

Answer 28

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Question 29

what do legal executives specialise in

Answer 29

stuff like litigation and probate

Question 30

legal executives can perform what

Answer 30

Perform many similar tasks to solicitors but with a tighter focus

Question 31

who regulates legal executives

Answer 31

by CILEx

Question 32

what can legal executives qualify in certain circumstances

Answer 32

roles like District Judge

Question 33

what is Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Answer 33

Regulates barristers, ensuring independence and ethical conduct

Question 34

what is Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Answer 34

Oversees the conduct and professional standards of solicitors

Question 35

what is CILEx

Answer 35

Governs the conduct of chartered legal executives to ensure proper professional practice

Question 36

what does district judges hear

Answer 36

Hear more complex civil and criminal cases in both County and Magistrates Court

Question 37

what do district judges deal with

Answer 37

Deal with matters like bankruptcy and serious offences

Question 38

what are circuit judges

Answer 38

Operate in the Crown Court and County Court, hearing serious criminal and civil cases

Question 39

what do circuit judges conduct

Answer 39

Conduct trials by jury for criminal offences

Question 40

what is a high court judge

Answer 40

Senior judges who preside over serious civil matters in the High Court

Question 41

what do high court judges deal with

Answer 41

Handle cases related to business, family and complex legal matters

Question 42

what are CoA judges

Answer 42

Review appeals from lower courts, handling both civil and criminal matters

Question 43

what are the four separate powers for judges

Answer 43

security of tenure immunity from suit separation from the Gov and Parliament independence from the case

Question 44

what is security of tenure with judges

Answer 44

Judges have secure positions, preventing their easy dismissal. This ensures impartial decision making

Question 45

what is immunity of suit for judges

Answer 45

Judges are protected from being sued for their judicial decisions, allowing them to act without concern for personal legal consequence

Question 46

what is the separation from the Gov and Parliament

Answer 46

Ensures that the judiciary operates independently of the government and parliament, preserving impartiality

Question 47

what is the independence from the case for judges

Answer 47

Judges must not have any pre-existing interest in a case they preside over to ensure an unbiased ruling

Question 48

what the principle of judicial independence

Answer 48

is the principle that means the Judiciary must be free from any external influence

Question 49

what does judicial independence allow judges to do what

Answer 49

This allows judges to make decisions based solely on the law. It ensures fair treatment for all.

Question 50

what is judicial review

Answer 50

a key component of independence, it gives the courts the ability to review the legality of the actions of public bodies including the government (Proroguing of Parliament 2019).