Rules, laws and the justice system
Rules keep a classroom running; laws keep a country running — and when they are broken, courts decide what happens next.
Part of your national curriculum
- Law and justice: Understand the nature of rules and laws and the justice system, including the role of the police and the operation of courts and tribunals
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the nature of rules and laws and the justice system, including the role of the police and the operation of courts and tribunals
Key learning points
- • Rules versus laws
- • The role of the police
- • Courts and tribunals
This lesson at a glance
- 28 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
Rules, laws and the justice system
Rules keep a classroom running; laws keep a country running — and when they are broken, courts decide what happens next.
In a nutshell
Understand the nature of rules and laws and the justice system, including the role of the police and the operation of courts and tribunals
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Rules versus laws
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Rules versus laws
Rules apply within a specific setting, such as a school or club, and are enforced by that organisation. Laws apply across the whole country, are made by Parliament or through common law, and are enforced by the state.
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
The police investigate crimes, gather evidence, and can arrest suspects, but they do not decide guilt. Their role is to keep order and bring cases to the Crown Prosecution Service, which decides whether to charge someone.
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 · Courts and tribunals
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Courts and tribunals
Magistrates' courts deal with less serious criminal cases, while the Crown Court handles serious offences with a jury. Tribunals resolve specific disputes, such as employment or immigration cases, more informally and often more quickly than courts.
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.
The ____ investigate crimes, gather evidence, and can arrest suspects, but they do not decide guilt.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
What is a key difference between a rule and a law?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Rules, laws and the justice system
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What is a key difference between a rule and a law?
2. What is the police's main role in the justice system?
3. Which court usually deals with serious criminal offences and a jury?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand the nature of rules and laws and the justice system, including the role of the police and the operation of courts and tribunals