英国政治 英文介绍学科介绍课程讲述.pptVIP

* * Lecture 6 Political System II Judicial System English Law has a long history, much of it being derived from what is called “common law”. This is law as decided by judges, their decisions in cases being arrived at after considering the customs and practices of the people involved. The other kind of law, statute law, is law made by Parliament. Court system in England and Wales House of Lords Court of Appeal Criminal division Court of Appeal Civil Division High Court Crown Courts 皇家（巡回）刑事法庭 County Courts 郡法庭 Magistrates’ Courts 治安法庭 Criminal Courts (in England and Wales) Magistrates’ Courts: the less serious offences and the vast majority of criminal cases (theft, the less serious cases of burglary and some assaults) Youth Courts: most cases involving people under 18 The Crown courts: tries the most serious offences (murder, manslaughter, rape and robbery) Civil Courts 1.Magistrates’ Courts 2.County Courts (contract, mortgage, race and sex discrimination, divorce cases and other family matters 3.High Court The Jury: consists of 12 lay people selected at random. Anybody who is a householder between the age of 18-70 can be called to serve at any time. The jury decides whether an accused person is guilty in most criminal trials. Judges: Most appointed by the Queen on the advice of the PM. Except for the Lord Chancellor all judges are independent of the political system. Magistrates 治安官：Lay people who are respected and responsible members of their local community are selected to serve as magistrates. They are not paid for the work and then undergo some part-time training. A Magistrates’ court sits without a jury. Legal profession: Barristers Solicitors Police: bobby, peeler; “Scotland Yard” unarmed tradition British Foreign Relations Decline of the British Empire, decline of the British influence worldwide no longer a vast overseas empire, but an equal member in the European Union independent nuclear deterrent and technol