Legal Lingo
What does mens rea mean in criminal law?
The guilty mind
the intention or knowledge of wrongdoing.
What happened in Donoghue v Stevenson (1932)?
A snail in a ginger beer bottle - established the modern law of negligence.
Which actor sued Amber Heard in a high-profile defamation trial in 2022?
Johnny Depp
Which country allows parents to give their newborn babies either the mother’s or father’s surname?
Spain
Who are the President and Vice-President of the Kingston University Law Society this year?
Atiqah and Hannah
What’s the difference between a barrister and a solicitor in the UK?
Barristers represent clients in court
solicitors handle client work and preparation.
In which case did a car crash lead to the “neighbour principle”?
Donoghue v Stevenson again!
As of 2025, how many U.S. states have banned abortion?
12 states
What’s the main difference between civil law and common law systems?
Civil law relies on written codes; common law on judicial precedent.
During Freshers’ Fair, what interactive challenge did KULS run that gave away Skittles and stationery?
“Law or Not?” challenge
What dose the Latin term on the KULS logo mean “Ducatus In Servitio”?
Leadership in service
Which 1893 case involved a woman who caught the flu and sued a company after using their “smoke ball” as instructed?
Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co (1893)
Which reality star was robbed at gunpoint in Paris in 2016?
Kim Kardashian
In which country is it illegal to chew gum?
Singapore.
According to the “Know Your Way Around” section, where can law students find the law books and get help from Chris Manning?
The third floor of the Townhouse Library
hat does “ultra vires” mean?
Beyond one’s legal power or authority.
What was the outcome of R v Brown (1993)?
Consent was not a defence to actual bodily harm in sadomasochistic acts.
Which individual was accused of murdering CEO Brian Thompson using a silencer?
Luigi Mangione
In which country can a court legally ban a social media influencer from posting content due to defamation, even before the content goes live?
Germany
In the “In the Legal World” section, what controversial government proposal has raised privacy and surveillance concerns?
The mandatory digital ID known as the “BritCard”
What’s the “ratio decidendi” of a case?
The legal reasoning or principle on which a decision is based.
Which planet in our solar system is known as the “Red Planet”?
Mars
Which founder of Turning Point USA was involved in legal disputes over organisational financial disclosures before being killed during a public event in 2025?
Charlie Kirk
Which country has a law requiring citizens to greet the national leader in public places, with penalties for non-compliance?
North Korea
The newsletter’s article on anti-immigration protests argues that democracy isn’t just about the right to protest. What does it say is the true test of a democratic society?
Whether protests uphold justice, dignity, and equal belonging