Starter quiz
- What are the branches of separation of power in the UK?
- judiciary, legislative and monarchy
- executive, judiciary and monarchy
- executive, judiciary and legislative ✓
- executive, legislative and monarchy
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- Match the word to its description:
- executive⇔the branch responsible for enforcing laws and running government. ✓
- judiciary⇔the branch responsible for interpreting and applying the law. ✓
- legislative⇔the branch responsible for making laws. ✓
- The UK Parliament is made up of the monarchy, the ______ and the House of Lords.
- 'House of Commons' ✓
- What is the main purpose of the separation of powers in the UK?
- To allow each branch of government to work together closely.
- To ensure that no branch becomes too powerful. ✓
- To make sure laws are passed quickly.
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- What is the role of the Supreme Court in criminal cases?
- It decides whether someone is guilty or innocent.
- It re-examines evidence and determines the facts of a case.
- It orders new trials for criminal cases.
- It hears appeals on legal matters and sets precedents. ✓
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- Which of the following best describes the UK’s constitution?
- a single written document that outlines all laws
- a set of rules created only by the House of Commons
- a collection of laws, principles and practices that govern the country ✓
- a document created and updated by the Prime Minister
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Exit quiz
- Match the keyword to the definition:
- courts⇔a formal, legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved. ✓
- judiciary⇔the branch of State that is responsible for enforcing the law. ✓
- The Supreme Court is the highest court of ______ in the UK.
- 'appeal' ✓
- What is the main role of the Supreme Court in relation to lower courts?
- to create new laws
- to enforce laws
- to set precedents and clarify laws ✓
- to make laws in Parliament
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- Which of the following is a key function of the Supreme Court in the UK?
- to pass bills in Parliament
- to ensure a separation of powers ✓
- to prove if someone is guilty
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- The Supreme Court deals with appeals for criminal and ______ courts.
- 'civil' ✓
- Order the events in chronological order.
- 1⇔House of Lords takes on role of hearing petitions
- 2⇔Law Lords were appointed
- 3⇔Lord Chancellor is no longer the head of the judiciary
- 4⇔House of Lords referred to Supreme Court
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- In the UK, powers are separated between the executive, legislative, and judiciary, the separation has evolved over time.
- The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal it ensures a separation of powers between legislative and judiciary.
- The Supreme Court is the UK's final court of appeal for civil and criminal cases and interprets UK law.
- The Supreme Court sets precedents, clarifies laws on important issues, and makes rulings on major political matters.
Common misconception
The Supreme Court has the same powers throughout the UK.
While the Supreme Court is the final court of appeal for most cases in the UK, its role in Scotland differs as Scotland has its own distinct legal system. In Scotland, the High Court of Justiciary is the highest court of appeal for criminal cases.
Keywords
Court - a formal, legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved, and where justice is administered according to the law
Judiciary - the branch of State that is responsible for enforcing the law; it is composed of judges and other legal officials
House of lords - the upper house of Parliament, composed of life peers and hereditary peers, who scrutinise the bills approved by the House of Commons; the House of Lords meets in the Palace of Westminster