Year 11 - Citizenship
What does the Supreme Court do?
What is the nature of the British Constitution?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils consider why we need a separation of powers and whether the current political structures are fit for purpose.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the main role of the Supreme Court.
Key Notes
- 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.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- The Supreme Court has the same powers throughout the UK.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key 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.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'court'
a formal, legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved, and where justice is administered according to the law.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The Supreme Court has the same powers throughout the UK. Correction: 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.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Is the physical set up of the House of Commons fit for purpose? Study Guide
- Should parliamentary procedures be modernised? Study Guide
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of an uncodified constitution? Study Guide
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of a bicameral system? Study Guide
- Why do we have a separation of powers? Study Guide
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