Criminal law, civil law and young people
Two very different systems share the word 'court'. Knowing which one you are in changes everything about what happens next.
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
- • Different standards of proof
- • How young people are treated
This lesson at a glance
- 25 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
Two very different systems share the word 'court'. Knowing which one you are in changes everything about what happens next.
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
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
Criminal law deals with offences against society: the state prosecutes and the outcome may be a punishment. Civil law settles disputes between people or organisations, and the outcome is usually compensation or an order to do something.
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
Different standards of proof
A criminal case must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. A civil case is decided on the balance of probabilities — more likely than not. That is why the same events can fail in one court and succeed in the other.
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 · How young people are treated
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
How young people are treated
The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10. Under-18s normally go to a youth court, which is less formal, closed to the public, and focused on preventing reoffending rather than punishment alone.
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 deals with offences against society: the state prosecutes and the outcome may be a punishment.
Civil law settles disputes between ____ or organisations, and the outcome is usually compensation or an order to do something.
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