Citizenship Theme C- Law

LAW- Key roles of law:

• Set out what actions are acceptable
• Keep order in society
• Ensure fairness
• Laws are made to punish and deter

Law affects our everyday lives but setting out things e.g.

• What we can own and buy
• Where we can live
• What substances we can take in our body
• How we can be educated
• Protecting the public = relate to right to be safe, e.g. protection from assault, injury, homicide, burglary, injury, robbery. And Health and Safety protections in schools, homes and work etc.
• Settling disputes= links with civil law, disputes relating to e.g. marriages breaking down, company disagreements, neighbours, consumer protection. 
• Ensuring fair treatment= Laws such as HRA 1998 and Equality Act 2010 are in place. Links to key values of equal oppurtunity and no discrimination.
• Changing behaviour= Deterrence, Retribution (e.g. community service), Rehabilitation 

Responding to new or changing situations: 

• Terrorism: Groups such as ISIS emerge and law must be flexible to deal with it.
• Scientific Discoveries: Need to be regulated to reflect new developments e.g. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1991 prevents embryos being used for science after 14 days because some feel it is unethical.
• New technologies: …