1、1,Lecture 6 Political System II,Judicial System,2,The Constitution,Britain has no written constitution. (The only two countries without written constitutions: Israel and the U.K.) Much of the constitution is based on unwritten customs and rules called conventions. And it is embodied in a number of s
2、eparate laws.,3,the main sources of law include:,Common Law 习惯法 Statute Law (Acts of Parliament)成文法 European Community Law (economic and social matters),4,English Law has a long history, much of it being derived from what is called “common law”. This is law as decided by judges, their decisions in c
3、ases being arrived at after considering the customs and practices of the people involved. The other kind of law, statute law, is law made by Parliament.,5,Court system in England and Wales,High Court,Crown Courts 皇家（巡回）刑事法庭,County Courts 郡法庭,Magistrates Courts 治安法庭,6,Criminal Courts (in England and
4、Wales),Magistrates Courts: the less serious offences and the vast majority of criminal cases (theft, the less serious cases of burglary and some assaults) Youth Courts: most cases involving people under 18 The Crown courts: tries the most serious offences (murder, manslaughter, rape and robbery),7,C
5、ivil Courts,1.Magistrates Courts 2.County Courts (contract, mortgage, race and sex discrimination, divorce cases and other family matters 3.High Court,8,Inside the Court,Nobody is above the law The criminal law presumes the innocence of the accused until he has been proved guilty beyond reasonable d
6、oubt All criminal trials are held in open court In criminals by jury, the judge passes sentence but the jury decides the issue of guilt or innocence.,9,The Jury: consists of 12 lay people selected at random. Anybody who is a householder between the age of 18-70 can be called to serve at any time. Th
7、e jury decides whether an accused person is guilty in most criminal trials. Judges: Most appointed by the Queen on the advice of the PM. Except for the Lord Chancellor all judges are independent of the political system. Magistrates 治安官：Lay people who are respected and responsible members of their lo
8、cal community are selected to serve as magistrates. They are not paid for the work and then undergo some part-time training. A Magistrates court sits without a jury.,10,Legal profession: BarristersSolicitors,11,Police: bobby, peeler; “Scotland Yard”unarmed tradition,12,British Foreign Relations,Decl
9、ine of the British Empire, decline of the British influence worldwide no longer a vast overseas empire, but an equal member in the European Union independent nuclear deterrent and technologically advanced armed forces banking center, about sixth in the world in terms of economy,13,Foundations of Bri
10、tains Cotemporary foreign policy,Cotemporary foreign policy of UK is influenced by:- its imperial historyNot as influential as beforeretain very conservative and traditional views.- Its geopolitical traits its long-term physical separationfrom the European continentA sense of psychological isolation
11、 to Europe,14,How Foreign Policy is Made,The PM and Cabinet decide on the general direction of Britains foreign policy. The main government department involved is of course the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) The Ministry of Defense is also an important player The department of Trade and Indus
12、try is concerned with formulating international trade policy and managing British commercial relations with other countries. HM Treasury is an extremely influential player.,15,One of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council; (the sixth largest contributor to the UNs budget) A founding m
13、ember of NATO; A founding member of the Commonwealth; A member of the EU.,Britain and International Institutions,16,Britain and International Institutions,Member of NATO- North Atlantic Treaty Organization- headquarters in Brussels, Belgium-constitutes a system of collective defense whereby its memb
14、er states agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party.,17,The Commonwealth of Nations (usually known as the Commonwealth),intergovernmental organization of 54 independent nations (most of them are former British colonies, or dependencies of these colonies ) Its members sha
15、re many customs, values and traditions. All members accept the British monarch as the symbolic head of the Commonwealth. Many have parliamentary systems of government on the British model. English is an official language.,Flag,18,Commonwealth Countries,19,Member of the European Union,The flag of the
16、 European Union (EU) is composed of a circle of 12 gold stars on a royal blue background. The flag is meant to represent the union of all the peoples of Europe.,20,Britain and the United States,Special Relationship - Closely allies during WWII and later - The level of cooperation in military plannings, execution of military operations, nuclear weapons technology and intelligence sharing with each otherwas often described as“unparalleled ” among major powers. Nevertheless, the “special relationship” with the United States has gone through many ups and downs.,
