Chapter 5: Respecting the Law
Overview
All UK residents must understand and obey the law. "Every person in the UK receives equal treatment under the law." This applies regardless of background, origin, gender, race, or religion and is essential for those seeking permanent residency.
Criminal Law vs Civil Law
The UK legal system is divided into two main categories:
Criminal Law
Criminal law deals with offences that are investigated by the police and prosecuted through the courts. Criminal offences include:
- Carrying a weapon -- it is illegal to carry any item made or adapted to cause injury (including knives and firearms)
- Drug offences -- selling or possessing illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis
- Racial crime -- harassment or violence motivated by a person's race, religion, or ethnicity
- Selling tobacco to anyone under 18
- Smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces
- Selling alcohol to anyone under 18
- Drinking in public in designated alcohol-free zones
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Domestic violence and sexual assault
- Fraud, theft, and burglary
Civil Law
Civil law resolves disputes between individuals or organisations. Civil matters include:
- Housing disputes (between landlords and tenants)
- Consumer rights (faulty goods or poor services)
- Employment disputes (unfair dismissal, discrimination)
- Debt recovery
- Family matters (divorce, child custody)
In civil cases, disputes are usually settled through the courts or by mediation.
The Police
Duties
The police are responsible for:
- Protecting life and property
- Preventing disturbances and maintaining public order
- Preventing and detecting crime
Organisation
- Police forces are organised into separate regional forces, each led by a Chief Constable (or Commissioner in London)
- Police forces operate independently from government
- Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), elected in England and Wales since 2012, set local policing priorities and budgets and appoint Chief Constables
Standards
- Police officers must obey the law themselves
- They must not misuse their authority, make false statements, engage in abuse, or practise discrimination
- Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) provide additional visible policing and community support on the streets
Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint about the police, you can contact:
- Independent Police Complaints Commission (England and Wales)
- Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland
- Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
Terrorism and Extremism
- The UK faces threats from various groups, including Al Qa'ida, affiliated organisations, Northern Ireland-related groups, and other extremist organisations
- Citizens should report any suspected terrorist activity or recruitment attempts to local police
- The police have dedicated counter-terrorism units
The Courts
Criminal Courts
| Court | Jurisdiction | |-------|-------------| | Magistrates' Court | Handles minor criminal offences | | Crown Court | Handles serious criminal offences (with a judge and jury) | | Youth Court | Handles offences committed by young people aged 10--17 |
Civil Courts
| Court | Jurisdiction | |-------|-------------| | County Court | Handles most civil disputes | | High Court | Handles more serious or high-value civil cases |
Scotland
Scotland has a separate legal system with its own courts:
- Sheriff Court (equivalent of Magistrates'/County Court)
- High Court of Justiciary (serious criminal cases)
- Court of Session (civil cases)
The Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is the highest court of appeal in the UK
- It replaced the House of Lords as the final court of appeal in 2009
Jury Service
- In criminal trials in the Crown Court, a jury of 12 members of the public decides whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty
- In Scotland, the jury has 15 members
- Jury service is a civic duty -- most adults can be called to serve