Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role — Set 10

The Prime Minister is the leader of the governing party, so if they resign, their party chooses a new leader who then becomes Prime Minister; a general election is not automatically required.

A hung parliament happens when no party has an overall majority — more than half of the 650 seats in the House of Commons.

King's Counsel (KC) are senior barristers recognised for their excellence in advocacy; the appointment is a mark of their senior status in the profession.

Pupillage is the final, practical stage of a barrister's training, usually lasting a year and spent working in barristers' chambers.

Most British police officers are unarmed; only specially trained authorised firearms officers carry guns.

The theory test has two parts: multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception test in which candidates watch video clips and spot developing hazards.

The practical car driving test normally lasts about 40 minutes, including an eyesight check, safety questions and a period of independent driving.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the drink-drive limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood — higher than the 50 milligram limit in Scotland.

Children must normally use the correct child seat until they are 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first; after that they must wear a seat belt.

Appeals from a Magistrates' Court in England and Wales are heard in the Crown Court, where the case is looked at again.

If a jury cannot agree unanimously, the judge may accept a majority verdict in which at least 10 of the 12 jurors agree.

Witnesses swear an oath (or affirm, if they prefer a non-religious promise) that the evidence they give will be the truth.

The small claims track is the simplest court route for lower-value disputes, generally claims of £10,000 or less in England and Wales.

The Crown Prosecution Service is led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who oversees decisions about prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales.

The Attorney General is the government's chief legal adviser and also oversees the work of the main prosecuting departments.

Most people must notify Acas and try early conciliation — an attempt to settle the dispute without a hearing — before making an employment tribunal claim.

A vehicle must either be taxed or have a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) declaration; keeping an untaxed vehicle without a SORN can lead to a fine.

Council Tax is the local charge paid on homes, and business rates are the charge paid by shops, offices and other business premises; both help to fund local services. Inheritance tax is a national tax on a person's estate after they die, and the TV licence fee goes to fund the BBC rather than local services.

Inheritance tax can be payable on a person's estate — the money, property and possessions they leave behind — if its value is above the tax threshold.

Home buyers in England and Northern Ireland may pay Stamp Duty Land Tax on property purchases above the current threshold.

FGM is a criminal offence in the UK, and it is also illegal to take a girl abroad for the procedure.

Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship — such as isolating a partner or controlling their everyday life — is a criminal offence.

The mace symbolises the royal authority under which the House of Commons sits, and it must be present for the House to meet.

The Prime Minister chairs Cabinet meetings, sets the agenda and sums up the conclusions reached by ministers.