Unit 8

Question 1

The term used to refer to all the judges collectively in a country. It can also mean the whole judicial branch of government, including juries and the courts’ administrative staff”

Answer 1

Judiciary

Question 2

Laws

Answer 2

basic rules that all of us must follow, including governments and people who work for government. Laws set limits on what we can do, protect us as citizens, and they also set limits on what governments can do, again, protecting us as citizens.

Question 3

If we have laws, there needs to be someone to enforce them. This is known as

Answer 3

Adjudication

Question 4

includes constitutional law, which covers how government is structured and the powers and relationships between different government bodies. Public law also includes criminal law, which covers matters of public safety, health, and morality.

Answer 4

Public law

Question 5

involves disputes between members of the public - including individuals, groups, or corporations. Issues covered by private law include contracts, inheritance, real estate, employment, and so on.

Answer 5

Private law

Question 6

covers how it is that governments of different countries deal with one another, and how businesses and individuals from one country are dealt with in another. International law is created by both formal treaties signed between governments, as well as declarations by the United Nations.

Answer 6

International law

Question 7

The three different types of laws are

Answer 7

1.private
2.public
3.international

Question 8

The main purpose of the courts is the

Answer 8

interpretation and enforcement of law.

Question 9

when they decide, for example, whether government officials are acting within their powers

Answer 9

Referees

Question 10

Judges also make new laws – known as

Answer 10

judicial policy-making

Question 11

when judges examine government actions to determine whether they are authorized by law. This goes to straight to the heart of checks and balances and the importance of not having powers concentrated in the hands of one body.

Answer 11

Judicial Review

Question 12

Issues with judicial review

Answer 12

Judges are supposedly seen as impartial because they’re not worried about being elected or re-elected. We tend to trust them more than politicians. BUT, are judges really impartial? It is possible that their own beliefs and values come into some of the decisions they make. So, if it’s possible that judges are being influenced by more than just the law, then, some argue, it’s a problem that they aren’t elected, because they’re in positions of power to make important decisions.