The Common Law System of England and Wales

Question 1

What is a Common Law System?

Answer 1

When references are made both to statute and regulation and previous court judgements in previous cases involving similar facts (Case Law)

Question 2

What is an adversarial system?

Answer 2

When the opposing parties offer legal arguments and the judge oversees the proceedings ensuring both sides are meeting the rules

Question 3

What is the difference between Civil Law and Criminal Law?

Answer 3

Criminal Law: The body of law which intervenes in the actions of individuals and groups which the Crown/the State deems as harmful to the state and people in it .

Civil Law: The body of Law which intervenes in relationships between individuals when they go awry (for example, breach of contract)

Question 4

What is the Primary Source of legislation in the UK?

Answer 4

Statue (Acts of Parliament)

Question 5

What is Parliamentary Sovereignty?

Answer 5

Acts of parliament are supreme. Meaning that no other form of law-making can usurp it.