How the legal system works

Fact checks about the legal systems work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

14 December 2021

Laws can be made without a parliamentary vote, contrary to the health secretary’s claim

New Covid face mask rules, for example, came into force before Parliament voted on the matter.

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24 March 2021

Burnt-out police car in Bristol protests was not fake

An image of a burnt-out police car taken during protests in Bristol is not ‘a prop’

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18 February 2020

Justice spending is down 25% since 2010, not 40%

The government did announce a real terms reduction of 40% to the Ministry of Justice but ultimately reduced funding by 25% between 2010/11 and 2019/20.

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1 February 2018

How sweet is sixteen? Legal age limits in England and Wales

You’re legally a child until the age of 18, but the minimum legal age is 16 for some things.

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7 September 2017

The Tower Hamlets fostering case: should we trust the news or trust a judge?

Media reports suggested a white Christian girl was taken from her family and made to live with a family who didn't speak English. How do we find out if this is accurate?

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12 July 2017

Ask Full Fact: the 'Great Repeal Bill'

A brief explanation of the Great Repeal Bill announced by the government in October 2016, as part of the process of leaving the European Union.

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28 February 2017

The legal system, explained: the Family Court

The venue for legal disputes over marriage and children in England and Wales.

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19 December 2016

Intercepted evidence can’t be used in court

Concern that a new surveillance law permits prosecutors to lie in court about evidence from intercepted communications is misplaced.

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5 December 2016

How Supreme Court judges are chosen

Is the system for choosing UK Supreme Court justices “secretive and opaque”?

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14 October 2016

Ask Full Fact: Brexit in court

We've heard a lot about legal challenges after the vote to leave the European Union. What are they about and what do they hope to achieve?

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