Until It Sticks Open the app ›Law, Courts & Everyday Rules
Juries
- Jury size in England, Wales & NI: 12 — in Scotland: 15
- Chosen randomly from the electoral register, ages 18–70
- Want jury duty? Be on the electoral register
Scotland does it bigger: 12 → 15. Same pattern as small claims: England £10k, Scotland/NI £5k.
Courts
- Minor crime in England/Wales/NI: Magistrates’ Court · in Scotland: Justice of the Peace Court
- Youth Court — ages 10–17, heard by up to 3 trained magistrates or a District Judge; public excluded, names/photos cannot be published; the most serious cases go to Crown Court
- Small claims — an informal way to settle minor disputes without a lawyer: under £10,000 (England & Wales), £5,000 (Scotland & NI)
- Solicitors charge mostly by time spent on the case
“Scotland keeps the Peace” — Justice of the Peace Court.
Criminal vs civil
- Criminal offences: racial crime, smoking where banned, selling alcohol to under-18s, FGM
- Civil law example: discrimination in the workplace
- Violence towards a partner: can be prosecuted — and a husband forcing his wife to have sex is rape
- Forced marriage — court orders can protect a person
Police complaints
- Anyone can complain by going to a police station or writing to the Chief Constable
- Independent bodies: IPCC (England & Wales), Police Complaints Commissioner (Scotland)
- “Only by writing to X” statements are False — there are always several routes
Age limits
- 16 — ride a moped; NCS programme; drink with a meal in a hotel/restaurant
- 17 — drive a car or motorcycle (licence required)
- 18 — vote; stand as MP; buy alcohol; betting shops & gambling; jury service (to 70)
Escalator: 16 moped → 17 motor car → 18 (almost) everything else.
Everyday rules
- Dogs in public must wear a collar showing the owner’s name and address
- To drive on public roads you need a valid driving licence
Test yourself: free practice questions on law. In Until It Sticks every question you miss links back to its card here. Start free.