1. Civil Courts Lesson Outcomes: Date: Monday, 31 December 2018
Explain the difference between criminal and civil cases.
Describe the jurisdiction of the civil courts.
Analyse possible routes of appeal in a civil case.
Specification links:
Outline of civil courts and appeal system.
Key terms:
Jurisdiction = the power of the court and the type of cases it can hear
Appeals = taking a case to a higher court to try to get a different decision
Starter: Think back to our first lessons. State five key differences between criminal law and civil law. 1

2. Criminal Law
Civil Law
A crime is an offence that has been committed against the S_______________
A civil case is a d________________between individuals
The defendant will be p________ on behalf of the Crown by the CPS(C_______ P_________S_________)
The c________makes a c_________against the d___________
To succeed, the prosecution must find the defendant guilty b_______ r_______ d________
The claimant must find the defendant l_______ on a b______of p______
The b_________ of p________ is on the prosecution to prove the defendant is guilty
The b_____of p_______ is on the claimant to prove the defendant l_____
If found guilty, the defendant will be s_____. This may be a discharge, fine, community-based sentence or a custodial sentence.
If found liable, the defendant must put the claimant back in the position he or she was in previously
The aim of a sentence is to p_____ the defendant.
The winner of the case will usually be awarded c_________
Cases are written R v _______. The R stands for r_______, the v stands for v______ and it is then followed by the defendant’s name.
Cases are written Donoghue v Stevenson. Donoghue is the name of the c________who wishes to s_____ the d________, Stevenson,

3. Match up the court with the area of law:
Criminal
Civil
County Court
Magistrates Court
Crown Court
High Court

4. Independent work
Read pages p79-80 and answer the following questions in full sentences.
1) Which court hears more cases; the County Court or High Court?
2) Define the following areas of jurisdiction;
Small claims
Fast-track
Multi-track
3) Which judges usually sit in the County court?
4) In which cases will the judge sit with a jury?
5) Name the 3 divisions within the High court.
6) Which types of cases does the QBD hear?
7) Does the QBD usually hear small claims, fast-track or multi-track cases?
8) Which cases within the QBD have the right to a jury?
9) How many members are there in a jury?
10) Is the Chancery Division larger or smaller than the QBD?
11) Which areas of law does the Chancery division deal with?
12) Are juries allowed in the Chancery division?
13) Is the Family division larger or smaller than the QBD?
14) Give two examples of cases that would be heard within the Family division of the High court.
15) Are juries permitted in the Family division?

5. Use the information in 6. 1, 6. 2 and 6
Use the information in 6.1, 6.2 and 6.4 to create one big diagram of the civil courts and appeal structure.
When you are happy with the structure, draw it out in neat and include more detail e.g. jurisdiction, which judges sit, which types of claims, fast track, small claims & multi-track etc.

6. Who is Lord Woolf?

7. Lord Woolf and the Advantages & Disadvantages of Civil Courts
Date: Monday, 31 December 2018
Lord Woolf and the Advantages & Disadvantages of Civil Courts
Lesson Outcomes:
Explain why the civil courts needed reform
Summarise the Woolf Report
Evaluate the success of the Woolf reforms.
Analyse the advantages & disadvantages of the civil courts.
Specification links:
Advantages & disadvantages of the civil courts
Starter: Why do you think the civil courts structure needed reform?
Cost, delay, complexity… 7

8. Lord Woolf, this is your life!
Write a report outlining the work of Lord Woolf. You must include:
The reasons why he believed reform of the civil courts was needed
The reforms that were brought into effect
The effect of the Woolf reforms
Further reforms from 2011 onwards.

9. Is the current civil court structure good enough?
Advantages of using the courts
Problems using the courts

10. As a minimum… Bun – Introduction (setting it up) Meat – Content
Bun – Conclusion (rounding it up)

11. Realistically, most essays will be like this…
Bun – Introduction
Meat 1 – Content argument 1
Meat 2 – Content argument 2
Bun - Conclusion

12. But the best essays will look like…
Multiple layers of content but still held together by a solid introduction and conclusion.
(note the small concluding layers rounding off each bit of content before introducing a new point)

13. Is the current civil court structure good enough?