Questions assigned as homework Flashcards
What is the relation between the CID and the MET?
CID stands for Criminal Investigation Department, which is part of the Metropolitan Police (MET).
What is meant by the New Scotland Yard?
It is the building which is the headquarters of the MET’s Criminal Investigation Department
What are the popular nicknames for the police?
fuzz, cops, pigs, boys in blue, Mr Plod, The Sweeney. Bobby comes from Robert Peel, founder of the MET.
In what sense do the police in England differ from the Dutch police?
There is no national police force for Britain. All police employees work for one of the 50 or so separate forces, each with responsibility for a certain geographical area. They don’t carry guns: “violence breeds violence”.
What kind of court is the Magistrates court and who presides over it?
The Magistrates court is one of the two kinds of court and deals with more than 90% of all cases. Every town has a magistrates’ court. A panel of magistrates (ordinary lay people, not trained lawyers) passes judgement. There is no jury and the magistrates don’t get paid.
What is the difference between this court and a Crown Court?
Serious cases go to crime court after they have been heard in a magistrates’ court. In Crown Court a professional lawyer acts as a judge.
What is the highest court of appeal in Britain and under what circumstances can you appeal to it?
It is Supreme Court. This court only does cases of national interest, e.g. Brexit.
What is the function of the judge in a crown court?
To act as a referee between prosecution and defence, to decide what evidence can be taken into account by the jury and to impose a punishment on those found guilty.
What is the function of the jury? How does a Scottish jury differ?
The jury takes the decision regarding guilt or innocence. A jury has 12 members, but in Scotland sometimes 15. There is a third verdict possible: guilty, not guilty, not proven.
What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
A solicitor is a lawyer who deals with the public, can be found at High Street. They handle most legal matters for their clients, including the drawing up of documents (wills, divorce papers, contracts etc.) and present their client’s case in a magistrates’ court. A barrister (member of the bar, Q.C.) presents cases in higher court. They are ‘senior’ to solicitors and mostly self-employed.
Who appoints the judges, magistrates and other legal officers?
Justice Secretary as the big boss, job done by Judicial Appointments Commission.
bail
a condition on which a person who has been charged with a crime can go free until the time of trial. Typically, this is a sum of money guaranteed on behalf of the charged person. He/She has to hand in the passport.
defendant
the party against whom a claim is brought in a criminal court case (the person accused of a crime)
verdict
the decision of the court
sentence
punishment
probation
set free, but regular meetings with a social worker must take place.
What was the position of Canada and Australia in the British Empire at the time of the Versailles treaty (1919)?
They represented themselves as independent countries. It was the beginning of the end of the Empire.
How does the Suez affair (1956) illustrate the deterioration of Britain’s power in the world?
Britain and France were forced to give up the fight. This was a humiliating. Britain lost face and therefore part of its power.
Why do Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands prefer to remain dependent on Britain?
They are afraid of being swallowed up by their neighbours. Remaining part of the empire guarantees safety and financial support.
What is the Commonwealth?
It is an international organization, composed of 52 countries that used to be part of the British Empire. Some of these countries have even kept the British monarch as head of state. They hold annual meetings.
Can you guess why the Irish Republic does not belong to the Commonwealth?
It was excluded because of the way they became independent.
What are the three branches of the British armed forces?
The Royal Navy (most senior), The Royal Air Force (RAF) and the army.
In what ways are British attitudes towards the European Union ambiguous (onduidelijk)?
Should Britain act alone in military cases or only on behalf of the EU? Britain is afraid of losing identity and becoming part of a Federal Europe. Being part of the EU is only an economic necessity. They are not enthusiastic.
What was the outcome of the 1975 referendum on British membership of the European Community?
two-to-one majority (67%) to continue, but without enthusiasm. They just saw it as a necessary evil.