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One Step Ahead: Law in Everyday Life

One Step Ahead: Law in Everyday Life

The need for criminal law
When children are allowed to do what
Making a will
Glossary terms


Criminal Law

Criminal law protects:

  • the state against individuals - this is the basis of laws about national security.
  • the individual from harm by others - by, for example, laws about murder, assault, and rape, as well as lesser offences such as careless driving.
  • the individual's property
  • the individual from his own unwise actions, which may also harm others - this is why there are laws banning drugs and laws against obscenity.



    When children are allowed to do what

    The list that follows is only a small selection:

    At 10 a child can:

  • be convicted of a crime (but see below)
  • open a bank account

    At 14 a child can:

  • own an airgun
  • go into a bar with an adult (but not drink alcohol)
  • take on a part-time job

    At 16 a child can:

  • buy cigarettes, fireworks, or premium bonds
  • marry (with parental consent)
  • join the armed forces (with parental consent)
  • drive a tractor or fly a glider solo

    At 17 a child can:

  • drive a car
  • give blood

    At 18 a child can do anything an adult can, except:

  • stand as a candidate in local or national elections
  • drive a bus (or heavy goods vehicle)
  • apply for a licence to sell alcohol.



    Making a will: common terms

  • estate: all the goods, property, and money that the person owns when they die
  • real property/realty: lands and buildings
  • personal property/personalty: all other possessions
  • bequeath: the word used to refer to the giving of personal estate
  • devise: the word used to refer to the giving of real estate
  • residue: what is left after taxes and funeral expenses have been paid and specific bequests have been made
  • descendants: the children, and their children, grandchildren, and so on all the way down the line



    Glossary terms

  • legislation The body of law created by Parliament.
  • legislature The body responsible for creating statute law. In England this is the two Houses of Parliament.
  • liability This term has two meanings: (1) an amount owed to someone; (2) a person's legal responsibility.
  • libel Defamation that is published in some permanent form, such as a printed book, a TV programme, or an email.
  • licensed conveyancer Someone who has a licence to do the legal work of conveyancing, but who is not a solicitor. To become one you have to take an exam regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.

     



    08/09/2003

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