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The burden of proof and the standard of proof are separate

How can one event lead to an acquittal in a criminal court and liability in a civil case? In many common-law systems, an ordinary civil claim uses a more-likely-than-not standard, while a criminal conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt. Who must prove a claim is a separate question from how convincing that proof must be, and particular claims can have different rules.

3–7 min

Questions you could explore

  • Why would a different outcome in civil and criminal proceedings not automatically mean one court ignored the evidence?
  • How does the burden of producing proof differ from the standard that the evidence must meet?

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Law and rights

What should governments keep secret, and who decides?

Freedom of Information laws start from a bold premise: government records belong to the public unless there is a compelling reason to withhold them. In practice, privacy, national security, and candid internal debate create exemptions. The real test of transparency is what happens when an agency refuses to release a document and an independent reviewer has to weigh secrecy against the public interest.

4–6 min

What should governments keep secret, and who decides?

Law and rights4–6 minFreedom of Information laws start from a bold premise: government records belong to the public unless there is a compelling reason to withhold them. In practice, privacy, national security, and candid internal debate create exemptions. The real test of transparency is what happens when an agency refuses to release a document and an independent reviewer has to weigh secrecy against the public interest.

Law and rights

Judge and jury: different decisions in one trial

In a criminal jury trial, the judge and jury usually have different decisions to make. The judge rules on legal questions and explains the law, while the jury assesses the evidence and reaches a verdict. Sentencing often returns to the judge after a conviction, though the division of responsibilities depends on the legal system and kind of case.

3–5 min

Judge and jury: different decisions in one trial

Law and rights3–5 minIn a criminal jury trial, the judge and jury usually have different decisions to make. The judge rules on legal questions and explains the law, while the jury assesses the evidence and reaches a verdict. Sentencing often returns to the judge after a conviction, though the division of responsibilities depends on the legal system and kind of case.

Law and rights

EU regulations and directives take different routes

An EU regulation applies directly from its date of application, while a directive usually requires countries to put its requirements into national law. Direct applicability can still leave work for national agencies or legislation. Explore how these different legal routes affect implementation, and why some directive provisions can also have direct effect in particular circumstances.

3–5 min

EU regulations and directives take different routes

Law and rights3–5 minAn EU regulation applies directly from its date of application, while a directive usually requires countries to put its requirements into national law. Direct applicability can still leave work for national agencies or legislation. Explore how these different legal routes affect implementation, and why some directive provisions can also have direct effect in particular circumstances.

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