What is the difference between criminal and civil law?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify the difference between criminal and civil offences and explain how criminal and civil cases are dealt with.
Key learning points
- In a criminal law case, the person charged with an offence is called the defendant. The CPS brings the case.
- In a civil law case, the person who brings the case is called the claimant. The accused is called the defendant.
- Civil cases are heard in either county or high courts.
- Criminal cases are heard in either magistrates or crown courts.
- Both criminal and civil cases can be heard in the court of appeal or Supreme Court.
Keywords
Civil law - law that deals with disputes between individuals or groups; there are civil courts which award damages (a money payment)
Criminal law - law that deals with individuals who break the law and seeks to punish an offence, because the offender has broken laws that Parliament has stated that we must all obey
Law - rules, usually made by Parliament, that are used to order the way in which a society behaves
Offence - an act or behaviour that violates a law and is punishable by the legal system
Court - a formal legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved, and where justice is administered according to the law
Common misconception
Criminal law and civil law are always handled in the same courts.
Criminal cases are typically heard in criminal courts, while civil cases are dealt with in civil courts; each have different procedures and purposes.
Teacher tip
Use real-world examples to help pupils distinguish between criminal and civil law. For instance, compare a criminal case like theft (where the state prosecutes) to a civil case like a personal injury lawsuit (where one individual sues another).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which layer of the justice system is missing from this list? Courts, police and ...
Q2.What is the definition of a law?
Q3.Who does the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) represent?
Q4.Match the different law enforcers with their roles.
to decide if a person accused of a crime is innocent or guilty
to protect the public, arrest lawbreakers and collect evidence
write reports for the court and supervise offenders back into society
Q5.What two roles does Parliament have in making laws?
Q6.Which statement is true?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the definitions to the correct words.
deals with disputes between individuals or groups
defines and regulates offences against society or the state
Q2.What is the term used for someone who is being tried in either civil or criminal courts?
Q3.Complete this sentence. law cases are heard in a magistrates court.
Q4.What type of cases does the high court deal with?
Q5.Which court is the highest court in the UK?
Q6.Which is the odd one out?
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: What is the difference between criminal and civil law?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: What is the difference between criminal and civil 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 4 citizenship lessons from the What are the strengths and weaknesses of the legal system? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.