Resource
What Do Courts Do?
Match four court functions and distinguish a legal dispute from law-making.
Preview the student activity
Download printer-friendly student PDFCheck the preview, printing notes and licence before use.
What children do
Match four court functions and distinguish a legal dispute from law-making.
Download
- Colour student PDF — 1 pages (A4 portrait).
- Printer-friendly student PDF — black outlines and white backgrounds.
- Separate answers and educator notes.
Age and preparation
Years 5–7. Allow around 20 minutes. A4 paper, pencils and optional colouring tools. Print at actual size.
Use the activity
Model one example, then let children work alone or with a partner. Keep the key separate until they are ready to check. Open tasks include sample responses and fair assessment guidance.
Accept spoken answers, pointing or a partner scribe when writing is a barrier. For a challenge, ask learners to explain the clue behind an answer. Colour never determines a factual answer.
Scope and accuracy
Court functions are broad introductory concepts. Not every case uses a jury; appeals follow legal rules. Equal treatment before law does not require identical outcomes in cases with different facts and laws.
Factual sources
Reviewed on 2 October 2026 against official Australian sources. Original wording and illustrations are used; official artwork and ballot designs are not reproduced.
