Basic Legal Concepts Flashcards
What is law?
A set of enforceable rules of conduct that set down guidelines for relationships between people and organisations in a society.
The law ensures impartial treatment and outlines punishments for non-compliance.
What are basic legal concepts?
Customs, Rules, Laws, Values, Ethics, Justice
These concepts provide a framework for understanding legal systems.
Define customs in a legal context.
Collective habits or traditions followed by a group by mutual consent and considered a social norm.
Examples include handshaking or holiday celebrations. Customs are not enforceable by law.
What are rules?
Made by an organization, department, or body and must be followed by the people within it.
Rules apply only in specific places or situations and are not officially recognized or enforced.
What distinguishes law from rules?
Law is made by a sovereign power and is punishable by the state, while rules are made by organizations and are not legally enforceable.
Laws are enforced by society and violations may lead to sanctions.
What are values?
Beliefs that reflect what we consider important, such as honesty, trust, and respect.
Values influence our behavior and decision-making.
Define ethics.
What we consider to be morally right or wrong, involving the conscious choice to do the right thing.
Ethics guide individuals in making moral decisions.
