Ch 6 Flashcards
Law
Described as the expressed will of society, governing relationships among members of that society.
Two most basic categories of law
Substantive law and procedural law.
Substantive Law
Consists of the rights and duties that each person has in society.
Rights
Ex. To vote, to own property, to enter into contracts
Duties
To obey laws passed by the government, to perform contractual obligations, to refrain from injuring others.
Procedural law
Concerned with the methods or means of protecting and enforcing these rights and duties.
Substantive rules
Are divided into the fields of public law and private law.
Public law
Concerned with the conduct of government and its relations with private persons (including corporations, unions and associations). It is divided into several categories such as constitutional law, criminal law and administrative law.
Constitutional law
Deals with issues relating to the constitution
Criminal Law
Includes any legal action carried forward by the government, such as a criminal offence that is punishable by the imposition of a fine, imprisonment or probation. Citizens of all provinces are subject to criminal law as set out in the Criminal Code of Canada.
Administrative Law
Deals with the law itself. Legislation in the form of statutes is necessary, from time to time, to change existing laws. It’s also necessary to authorize the government itself to carry on a program.
Private Law
Law as it applies to individuals and or legal entities. Often, private law is referred to as civil law.
Civil Law Action
In damages, an injured party suede the party who allegedly caused his or her suffering or loss. Courts attempt to right the wrong by having the tort-feasor compensate his or her victim.
Common Law
System of law found in all provinces except Quebec. Originated and developed over many centuries in England. Influenced by Canon (Church) law and Roman law.
Common law is unwritten law that is based on the rule of precedent.
Precedent
A system of well defined rules and principles developed from decisions reached in previous similar court cases.