Chapters / Chapter 5
The UK government, the law and your role
Chapter 5 explains how the UK is governed, how the law works and what you can do in your community. It covers the monarchy, Parliament, the Prime Minister and the cabinet, the devolved governments, elections, the courts, your rights, tax, driving, and ways to volunteer. It is the second longest chapter, and it is the most useful in daily life. People find it hard because many institutions have similar names and similar jobs. The Commons and the Lords, the Magistrates' Court and the Crown Court, and the Senedd and the Scottish Parliament are easy to swap. Learn this chapter by asking who does what, and where. Also notice that a few facts in it have changed since the handbook was printed, and read the explanation on each question.
In this chapter
- The monarch, Parliament and the constitution
- The House of Commons, the House of Lords and elections
- The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition
- How Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland govern themselves
- Criminal and civil law, the police and the courts
- Rights, tax, driving and taking part in your community
Practice for this chapter was last checked in October 2026.