Chapter 2 Vocabulary Flashcards
Statute law
A law or act passed by government
Distinguishing a case
Identifying a case as being sufficiently different from previous cases as to warrant a different decision
Jurisdiction
The political or legal authority to pass and enforce laws, or the judicial authority to decide a case
Bylaws
Laws that deal with local issues and are passed by municipal governments
Constitutional law
Body of law dealing with the distribution and exercise of government powers
International law
Law that governs relations between independent nations
Domestic law
Law that governs activity within a nation’s borders
Substantive law
Law that defines the rights, duties, and obligations of citizens and government
Procedural law
Law that prescribes the methods of enforcing the rights and obligations of substantive law
Public law
Law related to relationships between individuals and the state
Administrative law
Law related to the relationship between people and government departments, boards, and agencies
Criminal law
Law that identifies crimes and prescribes punishment
Private (civil) law
Law governing the relationships between private individuals and between individuals and organizations
Tort law
The branch of civil law that holds persons or private organizations responsible for damage they cause another person as a result of accidental or deliberate action
Contract law
The branch of civil law that provides rules regarding agreements between people and businesses
Property law
The branch of civil law that governs ownership rights in property
