the principle that all individuals within a state, including government and leaders, are subject to the same laws and must follow them

a person or thing likely to cause damage or danger

judges are free to make decisions based only on the law and the evidence, without being influenced or pressured by the Government or other powerful groups

What threatens the rule of law today?

Citizenship

Why should we care about the rule of law?

This unit analyses how the rule of law operates in contemporary Britain. Pupils evaluate threats to fairness, including inequality, abuse of power and barriers to justice, and examine the role of citizens in upholding the law.

Why is the rule of law important?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

References to gangs, knife crime, Child criminal exploitation, county lines.

the idea that all individuals are subject to the same laws

Which act requires the police and other public bodies to eliminate discrimination?

What was the name of the young person murdered in 1993?

Which of the following are examples of threats to the rule of law?

everyone is subject to the law, including leaders

Which of the following is a threat to the rule of law?

Why is it a problem if those in power ignore the law?

Which of these people are part of the judiciary?

Judges and magistrates make decisions free from outside influence.

The system treating people unfairly because of race or ethnicity.

Police power to check someone for illegal items.

Fill in the blank: A key purpose of the rule of law is to protect people from {{}} actions by those in power.

Starter Quiz

What does the rule of law mean?