General Law + terms

Question 1

Anarchy

Answer 1

A state of lawlessness and disorder

Question 2

Rules

Answer 2

Regulations that are based on principles, and which govern conduct

Question 3

Customs

Answer 3

Habits or usual ways of acting

Question 4

Morals

Answer 4

Relating to proper conduct

Question 5

Ethics

Answer 5

Rules of conduct that may be judged as good or bad

Question 6

Values

Answer 6

Beliefs that are considered desirable

Question 7

Social cohesion

Answer 7

People uniting in a common purpose, sticking together

Question 8

Parliaments

Answer 8

The elected representatives of a country or state

Question 9

Legislature

Answer 9

A law making body, such as a parliament

Question 10

Legislation

Answer 10

A law or a set of laws

Question 11

Common law

Answer 11

Laws made by the decisions of the courts

Question 12

Barristers

Answer 12

People who plead a case in court (and who have been admitted to the Bar)

Question 13

Solicitors

Answer 13

People who deal with the public in legal matters

Question 14

Statute law

Answer 14

Laws made by parliament

Question 15

Acts of parliament

Answer 15

Laws that have been passed by parliament and given Royal Assent

Question 16

Constitutions

Answer 16

The sets of rules by which organisations or countries are run

Question 17

Bill

Answer 17

A proposal for a new law

Question 18

Amendment

Answer 18

A change to a Bill or proposed law

Question 19

Royal Assent

Answer 19

Official signing by the head of state (Governor- General or state governor) to make the Bill an Act of parliament and so become a law

Question 20

Electorate

Answer 20

People entitled to vote, grouped by districts and represented by a member of parliament

Question 21

Referendum

Answer 21

A vote by the people on a question put to them

Question 22

Precedent

Answer 22

A legal decision serving as a guide to future court rulings

Question 23

Brief

Answer 23

The details of an impending court case

Question 24

Indictable offences

Answer 24

Serious offences heard by a judge and jury

Question 25

Defendant

Answer 25

A person against whom a criminal charge or a civil case is being made

Question 26

Summary offences

Answer 26

Minor offences dealt with by a magistrate

Question 27

Torts

Answer 27

From the French, meaning a wrong or an injury committed against another person

Question 28

Plaintiff

Answer 28

A person who brings an action in a civil case

Question 29

Subpoena

Answer 29

A document summoning a witness to appear in court

Question 30

Contempt of court

Answer 30

Disrespect for the court and the judge’s directions

Question 31

Litigation

Answer 31

Taking legal action or undertaking a lawsuit

Question 32

Adversarial

Answer 32

Opposing, one side against the other

Question 33

In camera

Answer 33

A closed court, not open to the public

Question 34

Equity

Answer 34

The quality of fairness to all

Question 35

Corporal punishment

Answer 35

Physical punishment, such as hitting

Question 36

Laws

Answer 36

A set of rules that are officially recognised by the state

Question 37

What are reasons for law reform?

Answer 37

• changing technology
• changing community values
• changing environment
• changing government
• new concepts of justice

Question 38

What do criminal law case involve?

Answer 38

Offences against the community

Question 39

What are some examples of criminal law cases?

Answer 39

PEOPLE
- assault, rape, murder
STATE
- damage to public property, terrorism, sabotage, treason
PUBLIC ORDER
- riotous behaviour, abusive language, serious traffic offences
PRIVATE PROPERTY
- theft, damage

Question 40

What do civil law cases involve?

Answer 40

Disputes between two parties based on torts

Question 41

What are some examples of civil law cases?

Answer 41

TRESPASS
NUISANCE
- inconvenience, damage to property
TRESPASS TO GOODS
- interfering with a property without permission
DEFAMATION
- making statements to harm reputations
NEGLIGENCE
- failing to take proper care, inconveniencing someone

Question 42

What are the four main features of the legal system?

Answer 42

Parliaments (to make laws)
Courts (resolve disputes by interpreting common law)
Police and Court officials
The legal profession (barristers etc.)

Question 43

What is the purpose of the Australian Constitution?

Answer 43

To give the federal government complete control of our nation and its laws and regulations

Question 44

What are the three functions of the constitution?

Answer 44

EXECUTIVE: deals with existing laws and running of gov.
LEGISLATIVE: deals with making of laws
JUDICIAL: about people who break laws and what to do with them