What does the Supreme Court do?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the main role of the Supreme Court.
Key learning points
- In the UK, powers are separated between the executive, legislative, and judiciary; the separation has evolved over time.
- The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal. It ensures a separation of powers between legislative and judiciary.
- The Supreme Court is the UK's final court of appeal for civil and criminal cases and interprets UK law.
- The Supreme Court sets precedents, clarifies laws on important issues, and makes rulings on major political matters.
Keywords
Court - a formal, legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved, and where justice is administered according to the law
Judiciary - the branch of the state responsible for interpreting and applying the law; it is composed of judges and other legal officials
House of Lords - the upper house of Parliament, composed of life peers and hereditary peers, who scrutinise bills approved by the House of Commons; the House of Lords meets in the Palace of Westminster
Common misconception
The Supreme Court has the same powers throughout the UK.
While the Supreme Court is the final court of appeal for most cases in the UK, its role in Scotland differs as Scotland has its own distinct legal system. In Scotland, the High Court of Justiciary is the highest court of appeal for criminal cases.
Teacher tip
Pupils can visit the Supreme Court for free to better understand its role in interpreting law, setting precedents and how it functions separately from Parliament. It’s a great way to reinforce knowledge about the separation of powers.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the branches of separation of power in the UK?
Q2.Match the word to its description:
the branch responsible for enforcing laws and running government.
the branch responsible for interpreting and applying the law.
the branch responsible for making laws.
Q3.The UK Parliament is made up of the monarchy, the and the House of Lords.
Q4.What is the main purpose of the separation of powers in the UK?
Q5.What is the role of the Supreme Court in criminal cases?
Q6.Which of the following best describes the UK’s constitution?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keyword to the definition:
a formal, legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved.
the branch of State that is responsible for enforcing the law.
Q2.The Supreme Court is the highest court of in the UK.
Q3.What is the main role of the Supreme Court in relation to lower courts?
Q4.Which of the following is a key function of the Supreme Court in the UK?
Q5.The Supreme Court deals with appeals for criminal and courts.
Q6.Order the events in chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: What does the Supreme Court do?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: What does the Supreme Court do?, 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 4 citizenship lessons from the What is the nature of the British Constitution? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.