Chapter 1 Flashcards
What three things does every person have?
- Legal Rights
- Legal Responsibilities
- A Right to Remain Free from harm
Legal Wrong
An Invasion of the legal rights of others.
What are the Categories of Legal Wrongs?
- Criminal
- Civil
Where are the principals of criminal law established?
In the Canadian Criminal Code
What does Criminal Law Address?
Crimes against society.
What are some examples of Criminal Wrongs?
- Vandalism
- Malicious Acts
- Dangerous or Impaired Driving
- Possession or trafficking drugs
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Theft
- Manslaughter or Murder
- Price Fixing
Who has a duty to punish those who commit criminal acts?
The State. They automatically bring action against the wrongdoer with or without permission from the victim.
What is the principal role of criminal law?
To punish the people responsible for the crime.
Statute Law
Written Law
Who creates Statute Law
Federal and Provincial legislation.
Can Statute Law supercede Common Law?
Yes
Damages
Compensation in Money awarded by the court
Compensatory Damages
Intended to compensate the injured party for bodily injury or property damage that was sustained.
General Damages
Damages cannot be determined exactly in monetary terms. Awarded for economic and non-economic; Includes Pain and Suffering, Humiliation, Inconvenience, Disfigurement, Permanency, Future Earnings and future care
How does the court determine the amount of general damages?
- Does the injury affect a person’s ability to work.
- What is the person’s occupation or profession.
- Is the person permanently disabled.
- If permanently disabled and unable to work what would the career path and future earnings have been.
- What effect has the injury had on a person’s lifestyle.
Special Damages
Damages can be measured, also called out-of-pocket expenses. Doctors and Dentists, Specialists, Nurning Homes, Loss of Earnings.
What two kinds of damages to compensatory damages include?
- Both General and Special Damages. Amounts of General and Special Damages sought must be contained in a Statement of Claim.
Other factors Influencing General Damages or Special Damages
- Extent of financial support provided by injured party to family. Head of Household.
- Social Position
- Reputation
- Status in Society
- Importance in Community
How is the amount of Compensatory Damages for Property Damage Measured?
By the Amount of Loss
What Two factors are considered when calculating compensatory damages for property damage?
Amount of Award Measured by Amount of Loss. - Difference in Value in Tangible Property Before and After the Damage.
Financial Loss Resulting from Loss of Use
Punitive/Exemplary Damage
Over and Above Compensatory Damage. Awarded in Intentional Torts in cases of Violence, Oppression, Malice, Fraud, Wanton or Callous Conduct/
What is the purpose of Awarding Exemplary/Punitive Damages
Punishment of defendant or example to others committing similar acts that behaviot is unacceptable. Canadian courts rarely award Punitive Damages.