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Law – University Taster
2.4 The Court Systems of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a detailed legal system shaped by its long history and the unique legal traditions of its different parts: England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Each of these areas has its own courts, but their systems share some similarities in how they are set up and how they work.
Overview of the UK Legal Systems
The UK is made up of three legal systems:
- England and Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
Although the UK legal systems are different, they all report to the UK Supreme Court, which is the top court for important legal issues. In the past, the House of Lords was the highest court of appeal and had the final say on legal matters. However, this changed with the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (CRA), which aimed to create a clear separation of powers. Many key court decisions made before 2009, when the CRA came into effect, mention the House of Lords instead of the Supreme Court.
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