New
New
Lesson 2 of 2
  • All years

Who does the law apply to?

I can explain that the law applies to everyone and why this is important.

Lesson 2 of 2
New
New
  • All years

Who does the law apply to?

I can explain that the law applies to everyone and why this is important.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Everyone is treated fairly under the law, no matter who they are.
  2. Laws must be the same for everyone to be fair.
  3. Everyone has a responsibility to follow the law.
  4. People can get help if the laws are not applied fairly.

Keywords

  • Equally - sharing or treating people so everyone gets the same amount or the same chance

  • Responsibility - having a duty to deal with something

Common misconception

Some people don’t have to follow the law.

The rule of law means laws apply to everyone, no matter who you are, where you come from or how much money you have. No one is above the law.


To help you plan your all years rule of law lesson on: Who does the law apply to?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If you are teaching about the rule of law for the first time, refer to the additional materials for more information.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Finish the sentence: The rule of means everyone must follow the rules of the country.

Correct Answer: law

Q2.
The document, Magna , helped start the idea that everyone must follow the law.

Correct Answer: Carta

Q3.
Which of these is an example of the law being followed?

ignoring school rules
Correct answer: all drivers stop at red lights
choosing rules only for friends
stealing from a shop

Q4.
Which of these is not an example of the law being followed fairly?

two workers doing the same job are both paid the same amount
police give the same fine to two drivers who were both speeding
a shopkeeper gives a refund to everyone if items are faulty
Correct answer: a shopkeeper only gives refunds to friends if items are faulty

Q5.
Match the example to what it shows about how the law can help:

Correct Answer:headlights at night,safety for people

safety for people

Correct Answer:access for wheelchair users,fairness for all

fairness for all

Correct Answer:fire escape plan,stops problems before they happen

stops problems before they happen

Q6.
Put these in order when someone breaks a law:

1 - A person breaks the law.
2 - A trusted adult or the police helps.
3 - The person may face consequences.

Assessment exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which statement best shows the rule of law?

People with more money can avoid consequences.
Correct answer: Everyone must follow the same law, no matter who they are.
Laws only apply to children not adults.

Q2.
Everyone has a to follow the law.

Correct Answer: responsibility, duty

Q3.
Match the words to their meanings:

Correct Answer:equally,sharing or treating people so everyone has the same chance

sharing or treating people so everyone has the same chance

Correct Answer:responsibility,having a duty to deal with something

having a duty to deal with something

Correct Answer:fair,treating people in a way that is right

treating people in a way that is right

Q4.
Match the phrases to show what it means to be treated fairly by the law.

Correct Answer:no special treatment,it doesn’t matter if you are famous or have a lot of money

it doesn’t matter if you are famous or have a lot of money

Correct Answer:no invisible people,no one is too small to be protected, or too big to be held responsible

no one is too small to be protected, or too big to be held responsible

Correct Answer:one set of rules,the same laws apply to all, no matter who you are

the same laws apply to all, no matter who you are

Q5.
Reorder these words to make a sentence about what can happen when the law is not applied fairly.

1 - When
2 - laws
3 - are applied
4 - unfairly
5 - people
6 - lose
7 - trust.

Q6.
If a law is not applied fairly, people can get help from:

friends only
Correct answer: trusted adults
family only
Correct answer: ombudsmen
Correct answer: courts