Law in Action

Question 1

Accused

Answer 1

to be charged with an alleged criminal offence

Question 2

Adult

Answer 2

a person aged 18 years or over

Question 3

Arbitration

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Capacity

Answer 4

the ability of a person to do something

Question 5

Capital punishment

Answer 5

the practice of putting an offender to death as punishment for a crime

Question 6

Ceasefire

Answer 6

a temporary or permanent suspension of fighting

Question 7

Charge

Answer 7

a formal allegation that a person has committed an offence

Question 8

Charter

Answer 8

an official document describing the goals and principles of an organisation

Question 9

Civil law

Answer 9

deals with non-criminal matters involving disputes between individuals and organisations

Question 10

Codified

Answer 10

laws that have been collected and organised, usually in written form

Question 11

Colonised

Answer 11

a country or region whose government has been replaced by one from another country

Question 12

Conciliation

Answer 12

similar to mediation except the conciliator can suggest possible solutions

Question 13

Contract

Answer 13

a legally binding agreement

Question 14

Criminal law

Answer 14

law involving cases where the parliament has declared some action to be illegal

Question 15

Customary law

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Democratic

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Evidence

Answer 17

information presented that helps a court reach a decision in a case

Question 18

Good behaviour bond

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Guarantor

Answer 19

a person who agrees to pay another person’s debt if they are unable or unwilling to pay themselves

Question 20

Mediation

Answer 20

when a third party helps those involved in a dispute to negotiate a solution acceptable to both sides

Question 21

Minor

Answer 21

a person under 18 years of age

Question 22

Negligence

Answer 22

the failure to exercise proper care, which could result in another person being injured or suffering a risk

Question 23

Oath

Answer 23

a promise (in the legal system, a promise to tell the truth as a witness)

Question 24

Victim

Answer 24

a person who is injured or killed by another

Question 25

Witness

Answer 25

a person who gives evidence in court