Exploration Assignment 1: Aspects of Life at Oxford and in the UK
Each member in our Oxford study abroad group got to pick an aspect of life at Oxford and in the UK to write about in their travel blogs. Some entailed general questions, such as 'what is the UK?' and 'what does 'British' mean?', whereas others were more specific, having to do with politics, demographics, privacy issues, public health, media, etc. Of the many in the list, I picked the UK legal system. Why? I thought it would be interesting. I also thought it would be nice to know (and therefore avoid) any legal rules that I was not aware of that I may accidentally break, being a foreign visitor. I guess you could say that my paranoia of getting into trouble lead me to choose this topic. Nonetheless, you don't need to be worried about obeying the rules to learn about the legal system. It is an important aspect of life, thus a good topic to know at least a bit on. So, here are some information that I collected about the legal system. I'll keep the focus to information pertinent to us.
First, let's start with some basic facts. UK has three separate legal systems: one for each of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The reason for this can be traced to the Acts of Union in 1707 and 1800, where Scotland and Ireland retained their own systems and traditions. Since we are residing mainly in Oxford, I will focus on the legal system of England and Wales. Many aspects of the UK government resembles the US government. Hmmmm... perhaps because many parts of the US system was modeled after the UK. There are three branches of the state: the justice, the executive, and the legislative system. The three checks others' powers and exercise separation of powers. (Sound familiar?) But, the United Kingdom is known as one of the few that does not have a formally written constitution. That is, the constitution is expressed in various documents. Odd, ehh? It is contained in the statues passed by Parliament and in the common law (laws developed under the decisions of the courts). The lack of a formal document does present some consequences. Some functions and powers of the three branches overlap. The government (or executive) consists of Members of Parliament (MPs) and peers who are also members of the legislature (the House of Commons and the House of Lords). If you want to read more in detail about the history of the UK legal system, click here.
As for the laws, they can be categorized into two main groups: public law and private law. The former governs the relationship between individual citizens and the state, and the latter governs relationships between individuals and private organizations. Within those divisions, there resides civil (private) and criminal (public) law. Civil law details contracts, family matters, employment, probate, and land law. Criminal law details boundaries of acceptable conduct. Someone who breaks the criminal law is regarded as having committed an offence against society as a whole. Breaking criminal laws have more harsh consequences than those of the civil law. The process for dealing with criminal laws is long and tedious (investigation, arrest, interview, charge, review by the Crown Prosecution Service). Different types of courts hear various degrees of offences.
Here's something that you may be curious about. What are my rights? The link provides descriptions on various rights, which I will detail a bit here.
Some random things to be aware of:
Below is a link to a document entailing what you can and can't bring to the UK as well as material you must declare, provided by the Border Force.
First, let's start with some basic facts. UK has three separate legal systems: one for each of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The reason for this can be traced to the Acts of Union in 1707 and 1800, where Scotland and Ireland retained their own systems and traditions. Since we are residing mainly in Oxford, I will focus on the legal system of England and Wales. Many aspects of the UK government resembles the US government. Hmmmm... perhaps because many parts of the US system was modeled after the UK. There are three branches of the state: the justice, the executive, and the legislative system. The three checks others' powers and exercise separation of powers. (Sound familiar?) But, the United Kingdom is known as one of the few that does not have a formally written constitution. That is, the constitution is expressed in various documents. Odd, ehh? It is contained in the statues passed by Parliament and in the common law (laws developed under the decisions of the courts). The lack of a formal document does present some consequences. Some functions and powers of the three branches overlap. The government (or executive) consists of Members of Parliament (MPs) and peers who are also members of the legislature (the House of Commons and the House of Lords). If you want to read more in detail about the history of the UK legal system, click here.
As for the laws, they can be categorized into two main groups: public law and private law. The former governs the relationship between individual citizens and the state, and the latter governs relationships between individuals and private organizations. Within those divisions, there resides civil (private) and criminal (public) law. Civil law details contracts, family matters, employment, probate, and land law. Criminal law details boundaries of acceptable conduct. Someone who breaks the criminal law is regarded as having committed an offence against society as a whole. Breaking criminal laws have more harsh consequences than those of the civil law. The process for dealing with criminal laws is long and tedious (investigation, arrest, interview, charge, review by the Crown Prosecution Service). Different types of courts hear various degrees of offences.
Here's something that you may be curious about. What are my rights? The link provides descriptions on various rights, which I will detail a bit here.
- Consumer rights: As a consumer, you have the right to get help if you are treated unfairly (e.g. counterfeit goods, poor service, etc.) and can complain. You can complain for free about electricity, property, communication, and copyrights through Ombudsman Services. Phone calls to Citizens Advice may charge, so make sure you check. Which? can also help take action on your compensations, replacements, appeals, etc.
- Antisocial Behavior Order (ASBO): The 'antisocial' in this context does not refer to those who prefer to stay in smaller groups and avoid large group interactions. Yes, you may take walks by yourself and feel assured that you will not be charged for breaking a law (unless you were doing something illegal...) Antisocial behavior characterized by this law includes drunken or threatening behavior, vandalism and graffiti, and playing loud music at night. You could get fined up to £5,000 or five years in prison.
- Discrimination rights: It's against the law to discriminate someone against their age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, etc.! You are protected under the Equality Act of 2010. You can report hate crimes online or via phone calls (dial either 999 or 101, the former is only for emergencies).
- Police's powers: The police do have powers to stop and question you any time. They must be in uniform or either show you their warrant card. They are allowed to ask you what you're doing, why you're in a certain area, and where you're going. You do not have to respond to any of these questions. They can search you if they there is a reason to suspect that you are carrying illegal drugs, a weapon, stolen properties, etc. However, police officers must tell you some information before they search you.
- Knives: It is illegal to carry a knife in public (unless it is a knife with folding blades of 3 inches long or less). Swiss Army knives are okay, however, make sure that anything you are carrying is not illegal in the UK. Some illegal knives include switchblades, disguised knives, butterfly knives, etc.
- Drinking: The legal drinking age is 18 years old in the UK. However, it is illegal to give drinks to children less than age of five.
Some random things to be aware of:
- It is illegal to walk or bike on freeways.
- There is no road rule that says the people have right of way in the UK.
- The age of criminal responsibility is ten in England and Wales. People over the age of 18 will be treated as adults. We are legally responsible for ourselves.
- Drugs and gambling are illegal in the UK.
- Self-defense sprays (e.g. pepper spray) are illegal.
Below is a link to a document entailing what you can and can't bring to the UK as well as material you must declare, provided by the Border Force.