What is the difference between criminal and civil law?
I can identify the difference between criminal and civil offences and explain how criminal and civil cases are dealt with.
What is the difference between criminal and civil law?
I can identify the difference between criminal and civil offences and explain how criminal and civil cases are dealt with.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In a criminal law case, the person charged with an offence is called the defendant. The CPS brings the case.
- In a civil law case, the person who brings the case is called the claimant. The accused is called the defendant.
- Civil cases are heard in either county or high courts.
- Criminal cases are heard in either magistrates or crown courts.
- Both criminal and civil cases can be heard in the court of appeal or Supreme Court.
Keywords
Civil law - law that deals with disputes between individuals or groups; there are civil courts which award damages (a money payment)
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 that we must all obey
Law - rules, usually made by Parliament, that are used to order the way in which a society behaves
Offence - an act or behaviour that violates a law and is punishable by the legal system
Court - a formal legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved, and where justice is administered according to the law
Common misconception
Criminal law and civil law are always handled in the same courts.
Criminal cases are typically heard in criminal courts, while civil cases are dealt with in civil courts; each have different procedures and purposes.
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: What is the difference between criminal and civil law?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: What is the difference between criminal and 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 4 citizenship lessons from the What are the strengths and weaknesses of the legal system? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
to decide if a person accused of a crime is innocent or guilty
to protect the public, arrest lawbreakers and collect evidence
write reports for the court and supervise offenders back into society
Exit quiz
6 Questions
deals with disputes between individuals or groups
defines and regulates offences against society or the state