Law & Rights
The Courts & the Judiciary
The courts decide whether someone has broken the law. The judiciary — the judges — are independent of government, which means they make their decisions free from political influence.
Key facts
- ◆ In England and Wales, less serious cases are heard by magistrates.
- ◆ Serious criminal cases are tried by a jury in the Crown Court.
- ◆ A jury is made up of 12 members of the public.
- ◆ Judges are independent of the government and of Parliament.