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Quizzes > Society & Culture > Politics & Civics

How Well Do You Know UK Law? Take the Quiz!

Think you can master UK law trivia? Dive in and test your knowledge!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art scales of justice gavel on teal background free UK law quiz English Scots Northern Ireland legal systems

Are you ready to dive into the Ultimate UK law quiz and see if your knowledge of the British legal landscape stands up to the challenge? This fast-paced UK law trivia adventure invites legal enthusiasts, students, and anyone curious about our justice system to test your UK law knowledge across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. You'll tackle a series of engaging questions that range from historic case laws to modern statutes, all in one interactive UK legal system quiz. Along the way, brush up with legal trivia tidbits or explore fun british trivia facts. Ready to sharpen your mind and prove you've got what it takes? Click Start Now to challenge yourself and unlock your legal prowess today!

What is the primary source of law in the United Kingdom?
European Regulations
Judicial Precedents
Acts of Parliament
Customary Law
Statute law, created through Acts of Parliament, is the most authoritative form of law in the UK. It takes precedence over other sources such as case law and EU-derived law. All Acts are published and accessible on the official legislation website. legislation.gov.uk
Which court is the highest appellate court in the United Kingdom?
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
House of Lords
Privy Council
Court of Appeal
Since October 2009 the Supreme Court has been the final court of appeal in the UK. It took over the appellate jurisdiction previously held by the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords. It hears cases on important points of law of general public importance. supremecourt.uk
Which legal tradition primarily influences Scots Law?
Common law tradition
Canon law tradition
Customary tribal law
Civil law tradition influenced by Roman law
Scots Law is a mixed legal system but is predominantly influenced by the civil law tradition, tracing its roots to Roman law. This differentiates it from the common law systems of England and Wales. It combines statutory law with principles of equity and civil law concepts. gov.scot
What principle asserts that no one is above the law?
Separation of Powers
Habeas Corpus
Judicial Review
Rule of Law
The Rule of Law means that all persons and bodies, including the government, are subject to and accountable under the law. It ensures predictability, fairness, and equality before the law. This principle is fundamental to the UK legal system. gov.uk
Under English law, a binding decision from a higher court that must be followed by lower courts is called:
Restatement
Precedent
Obiter Dictum
Statute
Precedent, or stare decisis, requires lower courts to follow legal principles established by higher courts in past cases. The binding part of a decision is the ratio decidendi. Obiter dicta are non-binding comments from a judgment. judiciary.uk
Which Act created the Scottish Parliament with devolved legislative powers?
Government of Ireland Act 1920
Wales Act 2017
Northern Ireland Act 1998
Scotland Act 1998
The Scotland Act 1998 established the Scottish Parliament and devolved a range of powers from Westminster. It set out the Parliament's legislative competence and created the Scottish Government. Devolution has been amended by subsequent Scotland Acts. legislation.gov.uk
What term describes law developed by judges through court decisions?
Equity
Common law
Legislation
Bylaws
Common law is the body of law derived from judicial decisions rather than from statutes. It evolves over time as courts interpret and apply legal principles to new situations. Equity developed as a supplement to common law. lawteacher.net
Which convention is incorporated into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998?
Geneva Convention
UN Charter
European Convention on Human Rights
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic UK law. This allows UK courts to hear human rights cases directly. It prevents the need to take cases to the European Court of Human Rights. echr.coe.int
Which body is the highest court of appeal for Northern Ireland?
Privy Council
Northern Ireland Assembly
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is the ultimate appellate court for all UK jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland. Appeals from the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland go to the UK Supreme Court. The Privy Council handles only limited overseas appeals. supremecourt.uk
What is the minimum age to stand as a Member of Parliament in the UK?
18
25
16
21
Since the Electoral Administration Act 2006, any UK citizen aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP. This aligns candidacy age with the voting age. Previously, candidates had to be at least 21. electoralcommission.org.uk
Which feature distinguishes a Scots solemn criminal trial from one in England?
Precedent is not binding in Scotland
Trials are conducted entirely in Latin
Law of evidence is entirely codified
Use of 15 jurors in solemn proceedings
In solemn criminal trials in Scotland, there are 15 jurors instead of the 12 used in England and Wales. Verdicts can be given by simple majority rather than unanimous decision. Scottish criminal procedure also uses the procurator fiscal system. copfs.gov.uk
What Latin term describes the binding legal principle of a judicial decision?
Stare decisis
Obiter dictum
Ratio decidendi
Ultra vires
Ratio decidendi refers to the legal reasoning or principle upon which a judicial decision is based and is binding in future similar cases. Obiter dicta are remarks or observations made by a judge that are not essential to the decision and are non-binding. lawteacher.net
Which Act established the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom?
Judicature Act 1873
Courts Act 2003
Senior Courts Act 1981
Constitutional Reform Act 2005
The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 created the Supreme Court, transferring judicial functions from the House of Lords to a separate body. It reformed the office of the Lord Chancellor and reinforced the independence of the judiciary. The Supreme Court began operating in 2009. legislation.gov.uk
Which division of the High Court of England and Wales primarily handles disputes involving trusts, wills and company law?
Family Division
Chancery Division
Queen's Bench Division
Administrative Court
The Chancery Division deals with business law, trusts, probate, insolvency, and land law. The Queen's Bench Division covers contracts, tort, and judicial review. The Family Division handles matrimonial and child law matters. judiciary.uk
Which case established the modern three-stage test for negligence in English law?
Hedley Byrne & Co Ltd v Heller [1964]
R v Brown [1993]
Caparo Industries plc v Dickman [1990]
Donoghue v Stevenson [1932]
In Caparo Industries plc v Dickman [1990], the House of Lords set out the three-stage test for duty of care: foreseeability, proximity, and whether it is fair, just and reasonable to impose a duty. This refined the neighbour principle from Donoghue v Stevenson. It remains the leading authority on negligence. bailii.org
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand UK Legal Structures -

    Grasp the fundamental organization of English law, Scots law, and Northern Ireland law to see how each jurisdiction operates within the broader UK legal framework.

  2. Differentiate Jurisdictional Principles -

    Recognize key differences in sources of law, court systems, and legislative powers across the three UK jurisdictions.

  3. Recall Landmark Cases and Statutes -

    Memorize important legal decisions, statutes, and terminology that shape British legal history and practice.

  4. Apply Legal Concepts Practically -

    Use your knowledge to answer quiz questions and solve scenario-based prompts reflecting real-world UK law situations.

  5. Evaluate Your UK Law Knowledge -

    Assess your strengths and identify areas for improvement through immediate quiz feedback and scoring.

  6. Enhance Legal Confidence -

    Boost your familiarity with UK law trivia and build confidence for academic study, professional exams, or casual learning.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Sources of UK Law -

    The UK's legal framework combines Acts of Parliament, delegated legislation, common law precedents, and international obligations. Use the "ACID" mnemonic - Acts, Case law, International law, Delegated legislation - to recall these sources quickly.

  2. Doctrine of Precedent -

    Under the doctrine of precedent, courts follow past ratio decidendi (binding legal reasons) and may consider obiter dicta (persuasive commentary). Remember "RIO" - Ratio Informs Obiter - to distinguish binding principles from persuasive remarks.

  3. Court Hierarchy & Appeal Routes -

    Magistrates' Courts decide minor criminal and civil matters, with appeals ascending to Crown Courts (for serious offences), the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and finally the UK Supreme Court. For example, R v Jogee (2016) shows how a criminal appeal can travel from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.

  4. Landmark Cases to Memorise -

    Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] established the neighbour principle in negligence, while Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball [1893] set key rules on offer and acceptance. Memorise them as the "DC duo" to cover core tort and contract law concepts.

  5. Devolution & Separate Systems -

    Scots law, a mixed civil-common law system under the Scotland Act 1998, uses unique courts like the Court of Session, whereas Northern Ireland's system parallels England and Wales but operates under a devolved assembly. Think "SEN" - Scotland, England, Northern Ireland - to map each jurisdiction's distinct rules.

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