Law in Action Flashcards
Accused
to be charged with an alleged criminal offence
Adult
a person aged 18 years or over
Arbitration
a method of resolving disputes whereby an impartial third party decides on a settlement arrangement that is then binding on the parties to the dispute
Capacity
the ability of a person to do something
Capital punishment
the practice of putting an offender to death as punishment for a crime
Ceasefire
a temporary or permanent suspension of fighting
Charge
a formal allegation that a person has committed an offence
Charter
an official document describing the goals and principles of an organisation
Civil law
deals with non-criminal matters involving disputes between individuals and organisations
Codified
laws that have been collected and organised, usually in written form
Colonised
a country or region whose government has been replaced by one from another country
Conciliation
similar to mediation except the conciliator can suggest possible solutions
Contract
a legally binding agreement
Criminal law
law involving cases where the parliament has declared some action to be illegal
Customary law
comprehensive systems of governance in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, including ownership and custodianship, caring for Country/Place responsibilities, kinship, ceremonial duties, marriage and childcare, as well as sanctions and dispute resolution processes
Democratic
supporting democracy, or the system of government where supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected representatives under a free electoral system
Evidence
information presented that helps a court reach a decision in a case
Good behaviour bond
a type of punishment whereby the offender agrees to display good behaviour for a set time or they will forfeit a sum of money and be sentenced for the original offence as well as any new offences of which they may be found guilty
Guarantor
a person who agrees to pay another person’s debt if they are unable or unwilling to pay themselves
Mediation
when a third party helps those involved in a dispute to negotiate a solution acceptable to both sides
Minor
a person under 18 years of age
Negligence
the failure to exercise proper care, which could result in another person being injured or suffering a risk
Oath
a promise (in the legal system, a promise to tell the truth as a witness)
Victim
a person who is injured or killed by another
