Who decides what is fair under the law?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how laws are applied fairly, how judges make fair decisions, and how people can get help if laws are unfair.
Key learning points
- Judges and magistrates make decisions fairly without being influenced by others.
- Laws are clear, so people know their rights and responsibilities.
- People can access help if laws are broken or unfair.
- Fair and independent systems help build trust across society.
Keywords
Judicial - relating to the branch of the state (the judiciary) responsible for interpreting and applying the law
Independence - 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
Justice - fairness as a result of the application of a law, usually by a judge, in society
Legal certainty - laws are clear, consistent, and predictable so people understand their rights and know how the law will be applied
Common misconception
Judges or courts just “make it up” or are biased.
Independent courts follow the law and make decisions without outside influence to ensure fairness.
Teacher tip
Use real-life scenarios that relate to students’ everyday experiences to make abstract concepts like judicial independence and legal certainty more relatable. Encourage discussion so pupils can see how laws work in practice, and link examples back to the keywords to reinforce understanding.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The principle that all individuals within a state are subject to the same laws is called the of law.
Q2.Which pupil's response is the best example of accountability? A pupil misbehaves in a lesson, but the teacher does not know who it was that started the disruption.
Q3.A fair and equal law helps build in society.
Q4.What Act was passed in 2010 which made it unlawful to discriminate against people based on protected characteristics, such as race or sex?
Q5.Match each situation to what it shows.
Q6.Order these words to form a sentence.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Laws help people understand their and duties.
Q2.Why do countries have laws?
Q3.A judge should make decisions based on , not personal opinions.
Q4.If someone feels a law has been applied unfairly, what can they do?
Q5.Match each word to its definition.
Q6.Which statement best challenges the idea that 'the law only matters for some people'?
To help you plan your 7 citizenship lesson on: Who decides what is fair under the law?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 citizenship lesson on: Who decides what is fair under the law?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the How does the rule of law contribute to fairness? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.