Scots law

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/scots-law

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the jurisdictional classification?A mixed legal system incorporating civil law and common law principles
2. What is the primary historical influences?Gaelic traditions, feudalism, Roman law (received), and Anglo-Norman law
3. Why does Scotland have its own law?Scotland kept its own laws even after it joined the United Kingdom in 1707. The Scottish Parliament can make new laws for Scotland, while the UK Parliament makes laws that affect all of the UK.
4. How do Scots lawyers decide what the law says?They look at four main sources: laws made by the Scottish Parliament, decisions from higher courts, writings by respected law scholars, and long‑standing customs. Courts must follow earlier court decisions too.

Civil Law Tradition: Legal systems primarily based on comprehensive written codes and statutes, often influenced by Roman law.
Common Law Tradition: Legal systems where judicial decisions (precedents) are a primary source of law, alongside statutes.
Reserved Matters: Areas of policy and law that remain under the authority of the UK Parliament, not devolved to the Scottish Parliament.