Video Transcript: What is the rule of law?

The Attorney General Richard Hermer KC explains to young students about the rule of law.

Attorney General Richard Hermer KC voiceover:

“So, part of my job is going out and talking to people about what the rule of law is, or what we want it to be.

So, to me, the rule of law is about being in a society where there are laws that we all have to comply with, where we have a say in those laws because we vote for people in democracy and then those people then put those laws in.

Those laws are really clear, so we all understand what it is. They apply to everyone, so they apply to me as much as they apply to you.

That nobody, as you say, is above the law and that if people break the law, or if people are accused of breaking the law, they are firstly consequences.

But they’re not decided by politicians.

We have independent courts that will decide who those consequences are.

And there’s also something about the value of those laws.

Not only do we get to have a say in them through democracy, but they’ve got value. There is got a moral purpose to those laws as well, which is why rights, your rights, my rights are all part of the law.