Exam revision Flashcards
Delegated Legislation definition
delegated legislation is a law made by someone not in parliament but given power to make that law by parliament
Actus reus definition
Committing the act
mens rea definition
Having a guilty mind, it was premeditated at any point even seconds before. Not an accident.
Prosecution definition
Legal proceedings against someone in criminal law
Indictable offence definition
A very serious offence
Summary offence definition
Smaller not so serious offence
magistrates court
First level of court system: deals with summary offences eg traffic infringement, shoplifting, disorderly behavior. More serious offences: burglary, assault, fraud and drugs.
County court
Determines criminal, common law and commercial matters
Murder definition
unlawful premeditated killing of one human being to another
manslaughter definition
crime of killing another human being without malice aforethought. Not premeditated
Criminal Law definition
a system of law concerned with the punishment of offenders
Civil Law definition
A system of law concerned with private relations between members of a community rather than criminal, religious of military affairs
Common Law
derived from england and passed down from generation. is used as precedent if judges need to make a decision not covered by legislation
Plaintiff definition
a person who brings the case into a court of law
Negligence definition
Failure to exercise a degree of care or caution necessary to protect others from harm.
Elements: duty, affirmative duty, rendering aid, breach of duty, causation(direct, proximate), damages
Supreme Court
hears the most serious criminal, and complex civil cases is the state. highest court in Victoria.
Statutory Law
written law passed by a body of legislature. Steps:
MP prepares bill
first reading - title give copy to MPs
Second reading - why, debate
Third reading - discuss, change, vote
Other house - repeat readings if voted no, repeat
GG - royal assent,effect
High Court
interpret and apply law of australia. hear against decisions of other courts. deals with the constitution
Causation definition
Direct and proximate cause by the defendant resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
Remedy definition
in civil law it is the sanction to help remedy the victim. apology, compensation, promotion ect.
Defendant definition
individual, company sued or accused in the court of law
Social Cohesion definition
the strength of relationship between members of a communit
Sanctions definition and purposes
punishment imposed by the court : community correction, fine, imprisonment
purposes:
rehabilitation, punishment, deterrence, denunciation, protection
Defamation definition
harming another persons reputation
RECKS
Characteristics of an effective law:
Reflect society’s values
Enforceable
Clear and understood
Known
Stable