Criminal law, civil law and young people
Not all legal disputes are the same. Criminal law deals with offences against society, while civil law resolves disagreements between individuals — and young people are treated differently within both.
Part of your national curriculum
- Law and justice: Understand the difference between criminal and civil law, and how the legal system deals with young people
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the difference between criminal and civil law, and how the legal system deals with young people
Key learning points
- • Criminal versus civil law
- • The role of the police and courts
- • The age of criminal responsibility
This lesson at a glance
- 20 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Criminal law, civil law and young people
Not all legal disputes are the same. Criminal law deals with offences against society, while civil law resolves disagreements between individuals — and young people are treated differently within both.
In a nutshell
Understand the difference between criminal and civil law, and how the legal system deals with young people
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Criminal versus civil law
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Criminal versus civil law
Criminal law covers actions considered harmful to society as a whole, such as theft or assault; cases are brought by the state (the Crown Prosecution Service) and can lead to punishments like fines or prison. Civil law resolves disputes between individuals or organisations, such as contract disagreements or personal injury claims, and usually results in compensation rather than punishment.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
The role of the police and courts
The police investigate crimes, gather evidence and can arrest suspects, but it is courts — magistrates' courts for less serious cases and Crown Courts for serious ones — that decide guilt and sentence offenders. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · The age of criminal responsibility
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
The age of criminal responsibility
In England and Wales, the age of criminal responsibility is 10, meaning children under 10 cannot be charged with a crime. Young people aged 10 to 17 who offend are usually dealt with by youth courts, which are more private than adult courts and focus on rehabilitation as well as consequences.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
____ law covers actions considered harmful to society as a whole, such as theft or assault; cases are brought by the state (the Crown Prosecution Service) and can lead to punishments like fines or prison.
Young ____ aged 10 to 17 who offend are usually dealt with by youth courts, which are more private than adult courts and focus on rehabilitation as well as consequences.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which case would be dealt with under civil law?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Criminal law, civil law and young people
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which case would be dealt with under civil law?
2. Who brings most criminal prosecutions in England and Wales?
3. What is the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales?
4. Which best describes civil law?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand the difference between criminal and civil law, and how the legal system deals with young people