Business Law Midterm Flashcards
What are the different types of law systems?
- Civil Law
- Common Law
- Customary Law
- Religious Law
- Common and Civil Law
- Unknown
Which empire started the Civil law system?
Roman Empire
The _____ empire started the common law system.
British
It’s important to note that law has a strong ______ context.
Historical
Define law.
- A predictable system of rules enforced by courts
- Uses words like ‘shall’ and ‘may’
- Dictates not just what you do, but how you do it
- Control and restrict behaviours
- Manage and resolve disputes between citizens (defines who is right and wrong, based in the concept of fault)
Define policy.
The ethical/moral/social reason (goal) behind the law
Define jurisdiction.
Where the law speaks; determined by constitution and legislation
Personal - who can do it?
Ability - what can they do?
Geographic - where can it be done?
“Who has the power to do what, where?”
What is sovereignty?
Supreme God-appointed rule; “this area has the ability to govern itself”
Good example: borders
Differentiate between individuals and persons.
Persons include corporations, partnerships and other forms of organizations.
Individual is a flesh and blood being.
An obligation to pay, deliver or act is known as a ______.
Liability
What are the three factors to differentiate civil vs criminal law?
- Parties involved
- Onus of proof
- Remedies
Differentiate criminal and civil law.
Civil law:
- Parties: person vs person (plaintiff and defendant)
- Onus: plaintiff must prove their case on the balance of probabilities (something happened that created liability on part of defendant)
- Remedy: damages compensable by payment of money or delivery of property
Criminal law:
- Parties: state vs person (crown attorney and an accused)
- Onus: state has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the particular action took place within the requisite state of mind
- Remedy: Freedom; penalties, incarceration and limitation of movement
What are the general areas business law is divided into?
Tort law - injury to others
Contract law - day-to-day operations
Business organizations - formation and operation
Land law - purchasing/leasing premises
Intellectual and industrial property law
Environmental law
Public law is similar to ____ law; private law is similar to _______.
Criminal. Civil.
Define societal control
Legislators sometimes establish laws that are not in response to demands of citizens; this represents social engineering and:
- Restricts individual rights and freedoms
- Transfers rights and power to governing body
- Law may reflect desires of politicians at a given point in time
What are the three functions law can be subdivided into?
- Settling disputes
- Establishing rules of conduct
- Providing protection for individuals
Rise of city-states created the need for a system of ________________.
Law enforcement
Laws gradually established in form of consistent decisions are known as _____________.
Customary laws.
_____________ is law as found in the recorded judgments of the courts and known as “case law”
Common Law.
Define “Stare decisis”.
“to stand by a previous decision”
It is a Principle requiring a judge to apply judgement of a previous case when a later case presents similar facts, providing the decision was:
- From the judge’s own court
- Form a court of equal rank
- From a court of higher
________ is law developed by church courts to deal with matters that fell within their jurisdiction.
Canon Law.
Large body of law relating to commerce gradually became part of the Common Law came from _________.
Merchant Law.
Define statute law.
Laws established by governing body of particular jurisdictions, an advantage of which is that statute law is relatively easy to change (debated and voted upon).
Bonus: From Latin “statutum” meaning, “it is decided”
_______ are procedural rules made under a statute.
Regulations.
Distinguish between a right and a privilege
Right – are things we can do with impunity (entitlement enforced by court, others have a duty not to interfere. e.g. freedom of speech)
Privilege – earned under certain circumstances and if improperly exercised it can be taken away by the State (e.g. driver’s license)
Rights can become privileges by social pressure or state’s desire for funds
_________ is inherent in the idea of law.
Fairness
What are the classification (categories) of laws?
Substantive Law - All laws that set out the rights and duties of individuals
Procedural Law - Procedures taken to enforce a substantive law
Substantive Right - An individual right enforceable at law
Public Law (Administrative Law) - Relates to relationship between governments and persons; has unique procedures
Private Law - Relates to relationship between individuals