judiciary

• aims and objectives

  • make any decision concerning points of law
  • ensure any case is fair and human rights compliant
  • inform jury about the law and their role
  • impose punishment following a guilty verdict / guilty plea
  • decide bail applications
• role

  • superior judges - high court and above
  • inferior judges - lower courts
  • appointed not elected
  • swear an oath of allegiance to crown and judicial oath
• funding

  • government
  • senior judges - £257,000
  • lowest rank - £110,000
  • senior salaries review body recommend their salary
• philosophy - judicial conduct

  • independence - should be separate/ free from Gov in decision making
  • impartiality - non-biased
  • integrity - morally upstanding and honest
  • propriety - maintain social norms and values
  • ensuring equality - receive same treatment
  • competence - have required knowledge and expertise
• crown court

  • role of chair person
  • ensure correct procedures and fairness
  • explain legal issues to jury
  • decide on sentencing
• court of appeal/ Supreme Court

  • hear cases from lower courts
  • make rulings
  • can set precedent
• working practises

  • ensure rule of law, maintain justice and fairness
  • reach - higher courts deal with national cases, lower deal with local
  • deal with all types of crimes
  • protection form monarchy - difficult to remove them