The Legal System

1. Politicians make Laws

 Parliament is our main law-making institution
 It can make new laws and change existing ones
 These laws are binding on all courts and judges
 Parliament responds to pressures (lobbying, petitions, demonstrations etc.) to make
new laws or change existing laws
2. Legal advisers specialize in the law
 Lawyers (solicitors and barristers) provide legal advice and assistance
 They represent their clients and conduct their cases at a court hearing. This is their
advocacy role
 Their duty is to argue a case in the best interests of their clients
3. Police enforce laws
 Police do not make the laws; they only enforce the laws
 They also prevent and investigate crime, protect life and property, and maintain peace
and order
 Police assist in the prosecution of suspected offenders
 There are rules that outline police powers and how they do their job
4. Courts interpret laws
 Courts settle disputes according to strict rules of evidence and procedure
 Court officials are responsible for the administration of the court and efficient running
of a case
 Judges have the ability to create law through the decisions they make when hearing a
case; an act of precedent
 Most courts are open courts; people may enter and listen to the case
5. Law-breakers are punished by court
 Prisons hold people convicted of a crime
 Prison staff manage the prison
 All offenders must be given the opportunity of rehabilitation
 Imprisonment - loss of freedom - is the harshest form of punishment that can be
imposed

Seperation of
Powers

Executive (the Judiciary

Legislative
enforcers or
(government) (courts)
police)