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Quizzes > Society & Culture

UK Law Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the British Legal System

Quick, free quiz with law questions and answers. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Will MuirUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art scales of justice gavel on teal background free UK law quiz English Scots Northern Ireland legal systems

This UK law quiz helps you check your knowledge of courts, cases, and key statutes across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. See instant results, spot gaps for revision, and explore related areas with business law quiz, a tort law quiz, and harassment questions and answers.

Which court is the final court of appeal for civil cases across the United Kingdom?
Court of Appeal (England and Wales)
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Privy Council
High Court of Justice
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In England and Wales, which standard of proof applies in criminal trials?
Beyond reasonable doubt
Clear and convincing evidence
Preponderance of the evidence
Balance of probabilities
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Which statute is the primary source of anti-discrimination law in Great Britain?
Data Protection Act 2018
Human Rights Act 1998
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Equality Act 2010
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In Scotland, which unique verdict can a jury return in criminal trials in addition to Guilty and Not Guilty?
Not Proven
Dismissed
Acquitted with Caution
No Case to Answer
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The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates which convention into UK law?
Geneva Conventions
United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU
European Convention on Human Rights
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Under the UK constitution, which body enacts primary legislation for the whole UK on reserved matters?
Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament)
Northern Ireland Assembly
UK Parliament at Westminster
Scottish Parliament
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In England and Wales, what is the usual composition of magistrates in the Magistrates Court?
A bench of three lay magistrates advised by a legal adviser
Two lay magistrates and two jurors
A single professional judge and a jury
A panel of five lay magistrates without legal support
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In Scotland, who is the head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths?
Solicitor General for England and Wales
Lord Advocate
Attorney General for Scotland
Procurator Fiscal
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In English contract law, consideration must generally be which of the following?
Monetary only
Sufficient but need not be adequate
Adequate and sufficient
A peppercorn is never sufficient
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Under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, which lawful basis allows processing necessary for compliance with a legal obligation?
Legitimate interests
Public task
Legal obligation
Vital interests
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In Scotland, most sheriff court civil cases are appealed to which court?
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Sheriff Appeal Court
High Court of Justiciary
Court of Session, Inner House
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Which Act largely governs police powers of stop and search in England and Wales for stolen or prohibited articles without a warrant?
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
Terrorism Act 2000
Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
Public Order Act 1986
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What is the limitation period for most simple contract claims in England and Wales under the Limitation Act 1980?
2 years
6 years
3 years
12 years
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In England and Wales, which remedy orders a party to perform a contractual obligation rather than paying damages?
Specific performance
Quantum meruit
Injunction
Rescission
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In English criminal law, which general defence applies where the defendant lacked intent due to a disease of the mind causing a defect of reason?
Diminished responsibility
Automatism
Self-defence
Insanity
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In Scots property law, ownership of land is transferred by what process after missives?
Registration of the disposition in the Land Register
Delivery of the keys to the buyer
Payment of the full price only
Oral agreement witnessed by a notary
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Which statement best describes the rule in Rylands v Fletcher under English tort law?
Strict liability for escape of a dangerous thing brought onto land
Negligence liability for all industrial activities
Absolute liability for any damage on land
Vicarious liability for independent contractors
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Which court in Scotland is both a trial and final appellate court for most criminal matters?
High Court of Justiciary
Sheriff Appeal Court (Civil)
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Court of Session
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In landlord and tenant law in England, which notice is typically used by landlords to regain possession at the end of an assured shorthold tenancy without alleging fault (subject to current legislative changes)?
Section 8 notice under the Housing Act 1988
Notice to Quit under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Section 21 notice under the Housing Act 1988
Section 146 notice under the Law of Property Act 1925
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In the English law of trusts, what are the three certainties required to create an express trust?
Certainty of form, registration, and notice
Certainty of value, time, and consent
Certainty of intention, subject matter, and objects
Certainty of purpose, intention, and consideration
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand UK Legal Structures -

    Grasp the fundamental organization of English law, Scots law, and Northern Ireland law to see how each jurisdiction operates within the broader UK legal framework.

  2. Differentiate Jurisdictional Principles -

    Recognize key differences in sources of law, court systems, and legislative powers across the three UK jurisdictions.

  3. Recall Landmark Cases and Statutes -

    Memorize important legal decisions, statutes, and terminology that shape British legal history and practice.

  4. Apply Legal Concepts Practically -

    Use your knowledge to answer quiz questions and solve scenario-based prompts reflecting real-world UK law situations.

  5. Evaluate Your UK Law Knowledge -

    Assess your strengths and identify areas for improvement through immediate quiz feedback and scoring.

  6. Enhance Legal Confidence -

    Boost your familiarity with UK law trivia and build confidence for academic study, professional exams, or casual learning.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Sources of UK Law -

    The UK's legal framework combines Acts of Parliament, delegated legislation, common law precedents, and international obligations. Use the "ACID" mnemonic - Acts, Case law, International law, Delegated legislation - to recall these sources quickly.

  2. Doctrine of Precedent -

    Under the doctrine of precedent, courts follow past ratio decidendi (binding legal reasons) and may consider obiter dicta (persuasive commentary). Remember "RIO" - Ratio Informs Obiter - to distinguish binding principles from persuasive remarks.

  3. Court Hierarchy & Appeal Routes -

    Magistrates' Courts decide minor criminal and civil matters, with appeals ascending to Crown Courts (for serious offences), the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and finally the UK Supreme Court. For example, R v Jogee (2016) shows how a criminal appeal can travel from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.

  4. Landmark Cases to Memorise -

    Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] established the neighbour principle in negligence, while Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball [1893] set key rules on offer and acceptance. Memorise them as the "DC duo" to cover core tort and contract law concepts.

  5. Devolution & Separate Systems -

    Scots law, a mixed civil-common law system under the Scotland Act 1998, uses unique courts like the Court of Session, whereas Northern Ireland's system parallels England and Wales but operates under a devolved assembly. Think "SEN" - Scotland, England, Northern Ireland - to map each jurisdiction's distinct rules.

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