Unit 1 Flashcards
What are statutes
written laws enacted by the government
What are precedents
jugements or decisions of a court cited as an authority for deciding a similar set of facts
What did jurisprudence originally mean
a latin term that meant “knowledge or skill in the law”
What does jurisprudence mean now
is used to describe the science or philosophy of law that deals with investigating the concepts, notions and principles of legal thought
What are the visible parts of the law
Statutes and precedents
What are the lesser known parts of the law
origins, changes over time, difference between the laws of different colours
What are the 6 functions of law
Helps us avoid or settle disagreements Sets out rights and obligations Provides remedies Maintains order and provides protection Sets up structure of governments Directs how to make laws
Define remedy in law
legal court of action that is followed to correct a wrong
Do laws reflect the values and beliefs of society?
Typically, yes
What is the rule of law
Definition; the rule of law is the idea that in order to function smoothly and fairly, all members of a given society agree to abide by a common set of rules, called ‘the law’.
How many main aspects are there of the rule of law
3
What are the 3 main aspects of the rule of law
Law is necessary to keep peaceful order
Law applies to everyone equally
No one can have unrestricted power to limit rights unless authorized by law
Why is law necessary to keep peaceful order
So that people can follow guidelines/rules and can coexist amongst each other
What does it mean that law applies equally to everyone
No matter a person’s economic status, place in the government, social status… they are all treated the same under the law
What is the Constitution Act, 1867
The supreme, or highest, law in Canada
What is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom
It is found in the Constitution Act, 1982– nothing can limit these rights for a person
What is the preamble of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Canada was founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law
What happens if a law contradicts with the Constitution
The law can be declared invalid and will be struck down or read down by the courts
What are the 3 important historical events that led to the development of the rule of law in Canada
The Magna Carta, The Glorious Revolution, The Canadian Constitution
What is the Magna Carta
An english legal charter established in 1215 that forced King John of England to accept that his actions would be bound by the law. This severely limited his power, but he was pressured to sign by a group of powerful nobles, called barons, who wanted to protect their own interests and property from being arbitrarily seized by the king
Why was the Magna Carta important
Because this document provided the origin of law It set a precedent for all other nations in the British Commonwealth by establishing that no one, not even the monarch, was above the law (bu this didn’t mean that there was equal application of the law)
What was the glorious revolution (not on review)
The progresses represented by the magna Carta was advanced in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution. This event marked the overthrow of the absolute ruler, King James II, by a group of English parliamentarians who were aided by a portion of the Dutch army under William of Orange
Why was the Glorious Revolution important (not on review)
Because it marked the beginning of a period when the English people refused to be led by an absolute ruler. From this point on, the rule of law has been the basis of our systems of government and law
What is the Canadian Constitution
Sets out how Canada will be governed and how law will be made. A new law has to comply with the values, principles and powers found in the Constitution. Out constitution was first enacted in 1867 by the British parliament.
When did Canada repatriate?
1982
What are the mechanisms that uphold the rule of law
Legal Independence-The separation of powers Laws Police Courts Sanctions Administrative Review
What is legal independence-the separation of powers
To ensure that everyone is treated the same when it comes to law, those who create the law, are not the same as the ones that interpret and decide cases or those who represent individuals in legal matters
What are the different separations of powers
Judicial Independence, Judicial Impartiality, Lawyer Independence and Judicial Accountability
What is judicial independence
When judges hear legal cases, they must be able to do so without being influenced by any other source. So, if judges were subject to interest of the state, individuals who are tried by the courts would essentially be tried by the very body that they have wronged
What is Judicial impartiality
Judges and others who decide legal outcomes must listen to all sides of the story, and make a decision on based on the evidence presented infant of them, not on personal opinions
What is Judicial accountability
Judges are accountable for the decisions they make because parties have the right to appeal to a higher court. Only the supreme court of Canada has the power to make a legal decision that cannot be reviewed
What is lawyer independence
Lawyers must represent their clients professionally, not let their personal opinions get in the way
Are laws never changing?
No, they are always changing and adapting to fit the views of society. Judges also interpret laws depending on the case
What are the 2 ways to interpret law
Common and statute law
What are Sanctions
penalties that are received as a result of breaking the law, legislations or legal agreements
How are sanctions helping to enforce the rule of law
Retribution Removal Restitution Restoration Rehabilitation Reinforcements
What is retribution
taking revenge against the wrongdoer for breaking the la and causing suffering
What is removal
separating potentially harmful people from the rest of society
What is restitution
returning things, especially finances to the way they were before the offence
What is restoration
Making the victim emotionally whole and reiterating the offender into society
What is rehabilitation
teaching offenders new skills and attitudes and strategies to help them avoid negative behaviour in the future
What is reinforcement
setting an example so that the public knows the harmful actions will be met with just consequences
What is administrative review
Not all disputes are settled in court, sometimes other bodies are appointed to make decisions about government actions
What are the categories of law based on its purpose
Substantive and procedural law
What is substantive law
Defines the rights, duties and obligations of citizens and levels of government… e.g. the right to own and protect property
What is procedural law
Outlines the methods or procedures that must be followed in enforcing substantive laws
e.g. gathering evidence poorly, following the legal requirements for a lawful arrest
What are the categories of law based on territorial jurisdiction
International and domestic
What is international law
includes laws that govern the conduct of independent nations in their relationships with each other
What is domestic law
Law made and enforced within nation’s borders
Includes both case law, statute law and constitutional law
Domestic laws differ greatly from country to country
What two sections can domestic law be broken into
Public and private
What is public law
law related to the relationships between the government and its citizens
Includes administrative law, criminal law, and constitutional law
What is private law
Law governing relationship between private individuals and between individuals and organizations
Sometimes called civil law
Includes tort law, contract law, family law, estate law, property law, and employment law
What can public law be broke down into
Administrative, criminal and constitutional law
What is administrative law
Law related to the relationships between people and government departments. This refers to the many government departments, boards and tribunals that pay a role in regulating the relationship between people and the government agencies
Give an example of administrative law
if you are injured in Ontario on the job, the case will go to Workplace Safety and they will decide how much money you get in compensation for your injury
What is criminal law
law that identifies crime and prescribes punishments
Prohibits and punishes behaviour that causes harm to others, such as murder
All crimes are described in federal statutes (e.g. criminal code of Canada)
Crimes are carried out not only against the individual but against society as a whole.
In a criminal trial the public is represented by who
the crown
What is constitutional law
Body of the law dealing with the distribution and exercise of government powers
Divides law-making powers between the federal and provincial governments
Limits the power of the government by setting basic laws that all other laws must adhere to
Overrides all other laws
What can private law be broken down into
Tort law, contract law family law, will and estate law, property law, employment law
What is Tort law (not on review)
Branch of civil law that holds persons or private organizations responsible for damage they cause another person as a result of accidental or deliberate action
Give an example for Tort law (not on review)
Joey falls on slippery floor in Walmart and breaks his wrist, he sues Walmart of damages
Plaintiff– person who has been harmed
Defendant–person accused of doing harm
Onus is on the plaintiff to prove to the court that the defendant’s actions caused the damage
What is contract law (not on review)
The branch of civil law that provides rules regarding agreement between people and business
Give an example of contract law (not on review)
tim buys a car and signs a contract. If he does not keep up his end of the agreement or the car company doesn’t the courts assistance can be sought to have terms enforced
What is family law (not on review)
The branch of civil law that deals with various aspects of family life (e.g.custody or divorce)
What is Will and Estate law (not on review)
The branch of civil law concerned with the division and distribution of property after death
What is property law (not on review)
the branch of civil law that governs ownership rights in property, including real estate
What is employment law (not on review)
the ranch of civil law that governs the employer-employee relationship
Laws that regulate the workplace balance the rights of the employer ad the employee
Includes laws and regarding unions, hiring and firing practice
What are the 2 types of bias
Unconscious and conscious
What is another word for unconscious bias
Implicit bias
What is another word for conscious bias
explicit bias
What is explicit bias
Being aware of the bias that is within oneself being vocal about it, indented bias
What is implicit bias
not aware the of bias that is held
Is unconscious/explicit bias permanent
No, one can work to minimize it
What are the primary sources of law
Religion and morality -Judeo-Christian heritage -Moral Philosophy (right and wrong -Reason (Aristotle) Social and Political Philosophy Customs and Conventions Historical Influences
What is Hammurabi’s code
The first laws to be written down for people to see
What roots of today can be found in Hammurabi’s code
Of modern crimes, like thievery and murder
When was Hammurabi’s code
1750 BC
What is the great laws of Manu (not on review)
One of the earliest forms of law
Ancient indian creation story that outlined sacred laws
Laws protected all social classes and saw all men as equal