basic legal concepts Flashcards
meaning of law
a set of enforceable rules of conduct which set down guidelines for relationships between people and organizations in society
what are customs
a type of behavior or tradition that is followed by a group by mutual consent
what are rules
codes of discipline that differ between organizations, can have legal sanctions
what are laws
binding to the whole community, can be enforced and have sanctions
what are values
things that are considered important, these values are often reflected in the law
eg. right to own property
what are ethics
things that a society considers to be right and wrong
characteristics of just laws
- applied equally
- based on values
- aims to reduce inequalities
- accessible
what is equality
equal treatment to everyone although can have different outcomes
what is equity
different treatment but for the same outcome
what is procedural fairness
body of principles to ensure fairness and justice of decision-making procedures in courts, fair treatment before the law eg. right of the defendant
what is rule of law
that all people including the government are held accountable to the law
what is anarchy
a state of disorder due to absence or no recognition of authority (no governing body)
what is tyranny
cruel or unfair treatment by people in positions of power
utilitarianism
achieving the greatest good for the greatest number
fairness
the outcome is fair on individuals, not too harsh
