The legal system: Basic legal concepts Flashcards
What is law
A set of rules that keep society in order. They are imposed on all members of the community and are enforceable by police and the courts
What are rules
Can be made by anyone with power over a certain environment and is to be obeyed by specific individuals or groups.
guidelines that should be followed by society
What are values
principles, standards or qualities a society considers worthwhile or desirable.
What are ethics
Moral judgments that we make (right vs wrong) which differ from each individual
What are just laws
Laws that are deemed as being good. They reflect societies current morals and values
What are unjust laws
Laws that are deemed of being bad and they don’t reflect our ethics and values as a society
what are the qualities that make a system just
Fairness, Equality and access
What is fairness
Where all people have no bias ensuring no advantage and everyone’s needs are accorded for
where all people have the right to be heard., no bias and no advantage
What is equality
where everyone is treated as an equal no matter their status or ethnicity
What is access
Where people can find the resources that help in being able to find, understand and make use of the law.
Where can laws be found
Laws can be found on the NSW legislation website where an individual can search and see the records and changes made to any specific law.
What is procedural Fairness
The procedure of ensuring that everyone is free from bias, has the right to be heard and is transparent in court.
Eg judge is not a friend
What is the rule of law
No one is above the law including those who make it. All groups and individuals who are involved in the legal system are answerable to the same law as every other citizen
What is an anarchy
the absence of both the law and government
What is a tyranny?
ruled by a single leader or political party that holds absolute power in a state.
