The English Legal System Trivia Quiz

Answer: Holborn Fifteen

Apart from the "Holborn Fifteen" all the others were (proven) great miscarriages of justice in English Law. Many years of campaigning were needed to make the authorities see the mistakes that the courts had made in imprisoning people who were later shown to be not guilty. These are three of the most remembered cases .

Answer: beyond reasonable doubt

These three words have created much work for judges over the years as the judge in each case has to explain to the jury what the words mean. When does someone cease to have a reasonable doubt in their mind is surely subjective to every individual and varies with their own way of thinking? You do not have to be as certain as you would be if you were present and saw the crime, but if you have a reasonable doubt then you must say the defendant is "not guilty" (as distinct from "innocent").

Answer: Crown Court

Basically the most serious cases go to the Crown Court for hearing. The less serious cases are heard by the Magistrates' Court. Some cases automatically go to the Crown Court, while others can be heard at either the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court.

Others cases are purely in the remit of the Magistrates Court and they comprise the lesser offences where the maximum penalty provided by law is a fine of £5,000 or a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment. The Crown Court was created by the Courts Act, 1971 and replaced the old system of Assize Courts.

Answer: True

This happened in 1982, and rather than being dismissed the judge was reprimanded by the Lord Chancellor. The Judge had clearly confused himself by using a civil law concept (contributory negligence) in the ciminal courts, where it was not relevant. The judge had also not even comprehended the basic duty of a criminal court to make the country safe for everyone (in this case someone who hitch-hiked scantily clad).

Clearly the Lord Chancellor took more care after that incident as to who sat on cases of this nature, but one is left with a sense of a judiciary who are unable to understand what is going on in the real world. Apart from proven criminal misbehaviour, or extreme ill health, judges can remain fairly confident that they will not be dismissed.

Answer: No

This is very much a part of American law, but it is not part of the law in England. However, defendants will often plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid being found guilty of a more serious offence. That is not the same concept and is very much a part of the English legal system. Judges are still, however, able to reward defendants for pleading guilty at an early stage.

This happens at the time sentence is passed on the defendant and is not used as a bargaining tool.

Answer: Yes

Since the 1980s advertising by solicitors - once completely prohibited - has been seen throughout most of the media.

Answer: County Court

Provided that you don't want more than £5,000 damages you can go it alone in the local County Court for your area and the procedure should be fairly simple and inexpensive. Hopefully you will be able to have the machine replaced or the purchase money refunded. Medical and vets fees are a possibility, but after that do not count on much else coming your way as compensation/damages. Hopefully the court will guide you in what you need to prove by way of evidence.

Answer: yes

The case changing the law was Arthur J.S. Hall v Simons (HL 2000). Prior to this barristers had been held immune from actions for negligence in their work. The Bar does, however, have an internal complaints procedure which can award very limited compensation. Since the Courts and Legal Services Act, 1990 barristers can now sue for their unpaid fees.

Answer: 1985

It was created by the Prosecution and Offences Act 1985. The old system resulted in the police stations launching their own prosecutions independently of each other.

Answer: yes

These are still part of the English law, although there are some offences which may not be charged in this way. Also, the Crown can step in and take over from you in certain circumstances (and may then drop the charge(s) altogether).