Media Law - chapter 1

Question 1

What are the two different divisions of Law?

Answer 1

Civil and Criminal

Question 2

Where do laws come from?

Answer 2

Precedent/case law: Evolves over time – judges use previous cases
u Statute Law: Developed in parliament
u Common law: Laws we’ve always had since the Middle Ages
u European Convention on Human Rights: European Laws

Question 3

what does a solictor do?

Answer 3

Solicitor (Criminal & Civil) – Legal representative who deals with the client and
does the background work etc

Question 4

What does a barrister do?

Answer 4

Barrister (Criminal & Civil) – Legal representative who represents in court

Question 5

What is a counsel?

Answer 5

collective name for barristers

Question 6

what does a claim form do?

Answer 6

starts a civil action

Question 7

what is a tort?

Answer 7

A civil wrong – what you are suing for – eg. Medical negligence

Question 8

What is the civil courts structure?

Answer 8

County court to high court to COA to supreme

Question 9

Criminal courts structure

Answer 9

magristrates - crown - COA - supreme

Question 10

standard of proof in civil cases?

Answer 10

On balance of probability

Question 11

standard of proof criminal?

Answer 11

beyond reasonable doubt