New
New
Year 10

How does the justice system work elsewhere?

I can explain how the role of the justice system varies across the world.

New
New
Year 10

How does the justice system work elsewhere?

I can explain how the role of the justice system varies across the world.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The role of the justice system is to enforce laws, ensure fairness and protect rights.
  2. The justice system varies on how a country is governed.
  3. An independent judiciary helps protect human rights.
  4. An independent judiciary is crucial for separation of powers.

Keywords

  • Judiciary - the branch of state that is responsible for enforcing the law; it is composed of judges and other legal officials

  • Justice - fairness as a result of the application of the law, usually by a judge, in society

Common misconception

All countries have fair and independent justice systems that protect everyone's rights equally.

Not all countries have justice systems that are fair or independent. In some countries, the Government may control the courts, leading to biased decisions and limited protection of human rights.


To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: How does the justice system work elsewhere?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use real life examples so pupils can see how countries justice systems work and the differences between them.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are features of a democracy in the UK?
leaders are above the law
unfair elections
Correct answer: protection of human rights
Correct answer: active citizenship
Q2.
Match the democratic feature to its definition.
Correct Answer:active citizenship,citizens taking part in democracy by voting or campaigning

citizens taking part in democracy by voting or campaigning

Correct Answer:rule of law,everyone, including leaders, must obey the law

everyone, including leaders, must obey the law

Correct Answer:separation of powers,power is divided between different branches of government

power is divided between different branches of government

Q3.
How are leaders held accountable in the UK?
They make all decisions without checks.
They are only removed by the monarch.
They cannot be challenged once elected.
Correct answer: They are regularly questioned by Parliament and the public.
Q4.
Separation of powers exists to stop one branch of government becoming too and to ensure that power is shared between different institutions like Parliament, the courts and the executive.
Correct Answer: powerful
Q5.
How do human rights protections help citizens express themselves in a democracy?
by allowing only the Government to speak publicly
Correct answer: by protecting the right to free speech, protest and belief
by only protecting the rights of the leaders
Correct answer: by allowing protests and criticism of leaders
Q6.
Which of the following best describes active citizenship?
Correct answer: taking part in democracy by voting, campaigning and helping your community
staying out of politics and letting leaders decide everything
only following laws and avoiding conflict
supporting whatever the Government says

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:judiciary,the branch of the state that interprets the law

the branch of the state that interprets the law

Correct Answer:justice,fairness through the law

fairness through the law

Correct Answer:law,specific rules that have been set and must be followed by all citizens

specific rules that have been set and must be followed by all citizens

Q2.
What is one main role of the justice system?
electing the Prime Minister
Correct answer: intepreting laws to ensure fairness
making new laws
Q3.
Which of the following is false about justice systems around the world?
Correct answer: All countries have fair and independent justice systems.
Justice systems vary depending on how a country is governed.
Some governments control their country's courts.
An independent judiciary helps protect human rights.
Q4.
In a country, the judiciary is more likely to be independent from government control.
Correct Answer: democratic
Q5.
Why is an independent judiciary important in a democracy?
so judges can create laws
to ensure courts always agree with the Government
Correct answer: to stop government control over legal decisions
Q6.
How does an independent judiciary protect human rights?
Correct answer: It ensures fair trials take place.
It ensures judges make decisions based on personal beliefs.
Correct answer: It ensures the law is upheld fairly and consistently.
It ensures the Government can control court rulings.