How are laws made? Criminal vs civil law
I can explain how laws are made in England and describe the difference between criminal and civil law.
How are laws made? Criminal vs civil law
I can explain how laws are made in England and describe the difference between criminal and civil law.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Most laws in England are made by Parliament. Parliament is also known as the legislature.
- A proposal for a new law is called a Bill. A Bill must pass through many stages before it can become a law.
- There are two main categories of law in England: criminal and civil.
Keywords
Law - rules, usually made by Parliament, that are used to order the way in which a society behaves
Parliament - the body that makes laws in the UK; it is made up of the House of Commons, House of Lords and the monarch (queen or king)
Civil law - law that deals with disputes between individuals or groups
Criminal law - law that deals with individuals who break the law and seeks to punish an offence (because the offender has broken laws that Parliament has stated we must obey)
Common misconception
Criminal law is only for very serious crimes, like murder or robbery.
Whilst criminal law deals with serious crimes like murder and robbery, it also covers a wide range of other offenses, such as theft and vandalism. Criminal law is used when someone's actions harm society, no matter how big or small the crime is.
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: How are laws made? Criminal vs civil law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: How are laws made? Criminal vs civil law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the What is the law and how is it changed? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the age you are held legally responsible for your actions.
the age you can do something as defined by the law.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
rules that are used to order the way society behaves
the age at which you can do something as defined by the law
a law or a set of laws that have been passed by Parliament