//glossary// Flashcards
Explain Absolute Majority
A candidate receives and absolute majority in an election if they gain 50% plus one of the valid votes cast in the election. In the Australian system of preferential voting (made up of primary votes and votes gained through preference distribution) must be an absolute majority.
Explain Access When In Reference To Legal Proceedings
The ability of individuals to exercise their rights in the legal system. Language used in proceedings and the cost of the aforementioned proceedings can play a part in limiting the access individuals have to dispute resolution through the law.
Explain Accountability
Requirement that all public officials, both elected and appointed, should be directly or indirectly answerable to people.
Explain Acquittal
Judgment of a court that a person charged with a crime has not been proven guilty.
What Is An Act Of Parliament?
Legislative proposal or bill that has passed all the required stages in parliament. An act becomes a legally binding statue when it has received Royal assent and has been proclaimed.
What Is An Actus Reus?
A guilty deed or act.
Explain What An Address-in-Reply Debate Is.
The debate that follows the Governor General’s Speech, which sets out the executive legislative program for the next parliamentary session.
Explain The Adjournment Debate
Debate concerning the motion to adjourn or suspend the sitting of parliament to another day.
Explain Adjudication
The act of judging the merits of two competing views.
Explain Administrative Law
Body of law dealing with the rules regarding the hearings of government administrative agencies such as internal appeal tribunals. Must operate within the bounds of natural justice.
Explain Admissable Evidence.
Information or material items allowed as evidence in a trial.
Explain The Adversarial System.
Legal system based on the principle that justice is best served by allowing competing parties to present their arguments to an impartial third person for adjudication.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Resolution of conflicts and legal disputes through methods such as mediation and arbitration. ADR can provide a speedier and less expensive alternative to the formal processes of litigation in the public courts.
Amendment
An alteration to a bill or act.
Appeal
A challenge to a judgment of a lower court to a higher court. The rights of individuals to appeal court decisions is a major reason for having the court hierarchy.
Appellant Jurisdiction/Appellate Court
Authority of the higher court to hear appeals of the lower courts. As the pinnacle of the court hierarchy, the High Court has appellant jurisdiction over all judgements of common law or statutory interpretation made by other Australian courts.
Arbitration
Alternative dispute resolution method by which an independent, neutral party is appointed to hear and consider merits of dispute and give a final and binding decision.
Aristocracy
Form of government based on rule of the elite, claimed by birth, wealthy and status.
Arms Of Government
Distinction between legislative, executive and judicial functions of government.
Arraignment
Court procedure where a charge contained in a criminal indictment is read to the accused who is then asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
