Part 1: Introduction to Law Flashcards
Introduction to Law, legislative acts, legal relationships (Chapter 1, 2 and 3)
What is law
a system of rules regulating the conduct of individuals within society, assisted by mechanisms set in place to ensure enforceability
Why does the law exist?
“Man is by nature a social animal” - Aristotle
Where there is man, there is a society, where there is a society, there is law.
What is the state?
A politically organised community, established on a specific territory, characterised by being independent and sovereign
Natural Law
Claim that humans are born with a moral compass that guides human behaviours
Positive Law
statutes/laws approved, published and enforced in a community/state.
Constitutional court and its purpose
A high court that deals with constitutional laws
What are the fundamental tasks of the state?
Security, Justice, economic, social and cultural welfare
Other systems that regulate conduct
- Religion
- Morality (the conduct to be good)
- Social Rules (social conduct)
What are constitutional laws?
laws that define power, structure and roles within a state (parliament, executives, legislature, and judiciary, in addition to basic human rights)
Two main law systems in the world
Common law and Civil law
What is Common law?
Majority of rules not written, courts are followed and ruled by precedents (past case rulings)
What is Civil Law?
Every law is drafted and published in legal codes. Judges make decisions independent of what previous judges have ruled before.
What countries are under Common Law?
The U.S and U.K primarily.
What countries are under Civil law
Most west European countries (Portugal, Spain)
Who approves the laws in portugal?
the parliament and the government
Code
A category that contains all the laws of a certain topic (commerce, civil)
Precedents
Decisions made by previous judges that cannot be changed and must be followed as exceptions
Legal provisions
A rule that was written in a law that is published and therefore it is enforced
Two parts of a legal provision
A description of the situation /event that determines their application (abstract description)
Conduct that should be adopted should the situation arise (determination)
What are the abstract description and determination of the following statement:
“Whoever kills a person shall be liable to imprisonment term ranging from 8 to 18 years.”
Abstract description: The killing of a person.
Determination: Sanctions of imprisonment/jail for 8-18 years
Main characteristics of legal provisions (GAMBE)
Generic
Abstract
Mandatory
Breakable
Enforceable
4 entities exercising sovereignty in portugal?
government, parliament, the court and the president
Sovereign
people/groups having power/independence to make rules,
Any law that goes against the constitution is
unconstitutional
What is a veto?
The right of a president/prime minister to reject a decision or proposal from lawmaking entities.
Different types of veto
Political veto (based on political opinions)
legislative veto (based on unconstitutional grounds)
Quorum
The minimum number of people in the assembly in order for a meeting to take place
Normative acts types
Legislative acts (laws) and other normative acts (implementing rules, regulations)
Legislative acts
Laws, such as constitutions and laws in the codes (criminal, civil, tax).
Other normative acts (examples)
Regulations such as environmental regulations or safety hazards
Executive order/decrees from president
Local ordinance (zoning orders and noise regulations)
There is a hierarchy between different normative acts. Which one holds the highest place in the hierarchy of laws?
The Constitution
What does the hierarchy of laws state regarding laws in different and equal positions of legal power?
Laws and decree laws possess equal force, and can revoke each other (the most recent replaces the oldest). Laws in lower positions can be overruled by laws in higher positions.
What is the main legislative organ?
The Assembly of the Republic
Simple majority
majority out of the people who voted
Absolute majority
more than half (50%+)
Qualifying Majority
requires a significant portion of the people (usually 75%) of people present to vote