Website of the UK government
Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
Main menu
Page menu
Crime, justice and the law
The judicial system
Introduction to the judicial system
A guide to the judicial system in the UK, including the differences between civil and criminal law
Criminal justice
Information on the administration of criminal law in the UK, including the prosecution process and how trials are administered
Civil justice
Information on the administration of civil law in the UK - the settlement of disputes between individuals or corporate bodies
Sentencing and appeals
Details on community and custodial sentencing, and how appeals are handled in the justice system
The police and other criminal justice agencies
How the police and other agencies of the criminal justice system work to maintain the law and investigate crime
Young offenders
Details on the age of criminal responsibility and how young offenders are dealt with
Your rights and the justice system
Information on your basic rights within the justice system - as a witness, victim, defendant or juror
Additional links
Judge for Yourself
A new tool allows you to consider and understand different sentences and their effect on offenders
Do it online
Useful contacts
Access keys
