Chapter 16
Taking in the Courts and Judiciary
In This Chapter
Delving into the UK’s three legal systems
Differentiating between civil and criminal law
Examining the legal systems of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Looking at the role of the judges and the courts in the constitution
Judging in the European Union courts
Protecting civil liberties through the courts
The courts and judiciary are a key part of the British state and play a huge role in determining the nation’s unwritten constitution and protecting the individual from the potential abuses of the state. And increasingly, with civil liberties being squeezed, the courts are becoming a real bastion of British liberties.
In this chapter I examine the ins and outs of the UK court system from east to west, north to south, and small claims court to the UK Supreme Court. If you want to know what goes on behind the doors ...
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