Starter Free writing exercise - what are you capable of? 1 You have been given a piece of lined paper – put your name a

1. 17th Nov 2010Understanding the way courts work in the UK.LO: To understand the hierarchy of the UK Judicial (legal) system.To build confidence with our writing skills.To look at a case study from a county court (civil law) Starter Free writing exercise - what are you capable of? 1 You have been given a piece of lined paper – put your name at the top. 2 You are going to be timed and given exactly 15 mins to write about any topic you like. Try to include paragraphs if you can but the point being you have to write under pressure eg a time limit – I am not bothered about spelling just quantity and contenteg it must make sense. 3 Take a minute to think of a topic you can write a lot about – Hint: something you feel confident with. 1 2 3.......

2. What was the point of the exercise? • Are you surprised by how much you have written in such a short space of time? • Could you have written a lot more if given the time? • Was it easier because you knew what you were writing about? • If you have written ay least half a page – think how much you could have written in 20/25 mins? • In order to pass your citizenship GCSE – you need to be prepared to write regardless of handwriting. You will be under pressure to order your knowledge and thoughts/ facts & write in short space of time! • Has this exercise built you writing a confidence even just a little? LO: To build confidence with our writing skills.

3. Failure to complete Homework Next week – those pupils who have not handed in the Criminal responsibility homework will have to complete in 20 mins of their lunch time on the Thurs. The following people will have to attend the non homework session tomorrow at 1.10pm prompt in this room: Joe, Connor, Josh, James, Curtis, Lewis, Kieran, Adam, Jack & Zak. Iam calling parents this eve to tell them why you are being given homework detentions. If you don’t turn up then HOC & DOL’s will be informed. It is in your interest to start completing homework and improving chances of good grades for your GCSE! LO: To build confidence with our writing skills.

4. Recap– what is the difference between civil & criminal law? Criminal law: Is involved with crimes eg serious law breaking that government feels must not be committed in society. Civil law: is concerned with disagreements between individuals or corporations. A civil case usually centers on a wrongdoing between the parties, and this wrongdoing is not necessarily a criminal act. A civil case can be heard before a judge, (a bench trial) or before a jury, (a jury trial). Parties The parties involved are the plaintiff and the defendant. The plaintiff is the person(s) who was wronged by the event and the defendant(s) is the alleged wrongdoer. LO: To understand the hierarchy of the UK Judicial (legal) system.To look at a case study from a county court (civil law)

5. The Court Structure in the UK The Supreme Court Includes Criminal & Civil cases Court of Appeal Includes Criminal and Civil cases The High Court Includes criminal & civil cases County Court Civil law Crown Court Criminal law Tribunals Civil law Magistrate court Criminal law Includes youth courts and some family courts LO: To understand the hierarchy of the UK Judicial (legal) system.

6. A Case StudyReading, Listening, Discussing & Writing Civil Law – taking a case to the county court. On the bench – who is to blame? P172 LO: To understand the hierarchy of the UK Judicial (legal) system.To build confidence with our writing skills.To look at a case study from a county court (civil law)

7. Task Copy out or paste in the key words below then complete Q 3 on p 173. • Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – Run by volunteers & free and confidential advice on all kinds of problems. • Community Legal Advice – free and confidential legal advice. 0845 345 4 345 • Solicitors – trained lawyers who offer legal advice & normally charge a fee. • Legal Aid – help offered by state to cover legal costs to those on low income but only in few cases today and not injury cases. • Damages– Money awarded by court to compensate someone for loss or injury they have suffered. Damages – Money awarded by court to compensate someone for loss or injury they have suffered. General damages is awarded for damages that cannot be precisely calculated eg the effect of pain & Special damages are given for something which can be calculated eg loss of earnings from work. • Negligence – Careless or lack of action which can cause someone loss or injury. LO: To understand the hierarchy of the UK Judicial (legal) system.To look at a case study from a county court (civil law)

8. Homework – Due Wed 24th Nov Research Legal Aid in the UK • What exactly is meant by legal aid and why has it been in the news this week? • Find out what types of people can get legal aid and for what particular types of legal cases? • What types of legal cases are not covered by legal aid? • Finally – How does legal aid in the UK compare with legal aid offered in other EU countries? • NB: List your sources!!!

9. Seeking a SettlementReading, listening, discussing & writing Plenary Task Now answer the 3 questions from page 174/ 175. 1Imagine you are Mark’s solicitor & then the lawyer for local authority - Give arguments each could make in support of their case in court. 2 Now put yourself in the position of the judge – what verdict would you give and give reasons for your verdict. 3 If you have decided the leisure centre were negligent – what would you as judge award Mark in damages – explain why you have awarded certain amounts NB general damages & special damages. LO: To understand the hierarchy of the UK Judicial (legal) system.To build confidence with our writing skills.To look at a case study from a county court (civil law)