UK Courts and Legal System Practice Questions

Questions with explanations

10 Courts and legal system questions

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1. Sample question 1

   Civil servants cannot stand for public office:

   • TRUE
   • FALSE
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   Answer: TRUE

   Most citizens of the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office. There are some exceptions, including members of the armed forces, civil servants and people found guilty of certain criminal offences.

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2. Sample question 2

   Which court deals with the most serious cases of children aged 10 to 17 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

   • The High Court
   • The Youth Court
   • The Magistrates’ Court
   • The Crown Court
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: The Crown Court

   In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if an accused person is aged 10 to 17, the case is normally heard in a Youth Court in front of up to three specially trained magistrates or a District Judge. The most serious cases will go the Crown Court.

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3. Sample question 3

   Which court deals with cases involving personal injury, family matters, breaches of contract and divorce in England and Wales?

   • The Crown Court
   • The High Court
   • County Courts
   • The Sheriff Court
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   Answer: County Courts

   County Courts deal with a wide range of civil disputes. These include people trying to get back money that is owed to them, cases involving personal injury, family matters, breaches of contract, and divorce. In Scotland, most of these matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court.

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4. Sample question 4

   Which of the following statements is true?

   • Forcing another person to marry is a civil offence
   • Forcing another person to marry is a criminal offence
   • Forcing another person to marry is not punished in the UK
   • Forcing another person to marry is common in the UK
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   Answer: Forcing another person to marry is a criminal offence

   Forcing another person to marry is a criminal offence.

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5. Sample question 5

   What name is given to the person appointed by local authorities to be the ceremonial leader of a particular council?

   • Council candidate
   • Mayor
   • Peer
   • Magistrate
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: Mayor

   Many local authorities appoint a mayor, who is the ceremonial leader of the council. In some towns, a mayor is elected to be the effective leader of the administration.

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6. Sample question 6

   Which court deals with the MOST serious cases in Scotland, such as murder?

   • The Magistrates’ Court
   • The Sheriff Court
   • The Crown Court
   • The High Court
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   Answer: The High Court

   In Scotland, serious cases are heard in a Sheriff Court with either a sheriff or a sheriff with a jury. The most serious cases in Scotland, such as murder, are heard at a High Court with a judge and jury.

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7. Sample question 7

   Which court deals with minor criminal cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

   • The Justice of the Peace Court
   • The Magistrates’ Court
   • The High Court
   • The Crown Court
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   Answer: The Magistrates’ Court

   In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates’ Court. In Scotland, minor criminal offences go to a Justice of the Peace Court.

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8. Sample question 8

   People might be taken to court if they owe money to someone.

   • TRUE
   • FALSE
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   Answer: TRUE

   This statement is true.

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9. Sample question 9

   How many members does a jury have in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

   • 12
   • 14
   • 15
   • 18
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   Answer: 12

   In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a jury has 12 members, and in Scotland a jury has 15 members.

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10. Sample question 10

    Which of the following statements is false regarding Youth Courts?

    • The parents or carers of the young person being judged are expected to attend the hearing
    • Members of the public are not allowed in them
    • They are used for trials of young people aged 10 to 18
    • The name or photographs of the accused young person cannot be published in newspapers or used by the media
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    Answer: They are used for trials of young people aged 10 to 18

    They are used for trials of young people aged 10 to 17.

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