Legal Studies Year 10: Laws, Courts, and Parliament Key Concepts

What are laws?

Laws are formal rules established by a governing authority to regulate behavior and maintain order within a society.

What are rules?

Rules are specific guidelines or principles that dictate how individuals should behave in certain situations.

What are norms?

Norms are unwritten rules or expectations about how people should behave in a society.

What is the Rule of Law?

The Rule of Law is the principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable to the law, which is fairly applied and enforced.

What are effective laws?

Effective laws are those that are clear, consistent, and enforced in a manner that is perceived as fair by the public.

What is the common good?

The common good refers to what is beneficial for all members of a community or society.

What does it mean to justify?

To justify means to provide valid reasons or explanations for an action or belief.

What is jurisprudence?

Jurisprudence is the study or theory of law, including the principles and philosophies that underpin legal systems.

What is a statute?

A statute is a written law passed by a legislative body.

What is common law?

Common law is a body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts.

What is precedent?

Precedent is a legal principle or rule established in previous court cases that is followed in subsequent cases.

What is jurisdiction?

Jurisdiction is the official power to make legal decisions and judgments, typically defined by geographic area or type of case.

What is a constitution?

A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed.

What is customary law?

Customary law consists of practices and norms that have developed over time and are accepted as legal standards within a community.

What is the balance of probabilities?

The balance of probabilities is the standard of proof in civil cases, meaning that something is more likely to be true than not.

What does 'beyond reasonable doubt' mean?

Beyond reasonable doubt is the standard of proof required in criminal cases, indicating that there is no reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt.

What is the Division of Powers?

The Division of Powers is the distribution of authority and responsibilities among different levels of government.

What is the Separation of Powers?

The Separation of Powers is a model of governance where the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government are kept separate to prevent abuse of power.

What is the difference between admissible and inadmissible evidence?

Admissible evidence is information that is allowed to be presented in court, while inadmissible evidence is not permitted due to legal rules.

What is a court hierarchy?

A court hierarchy is the organization of courts in a structured order, typically from lower courts to higher courts.

What is a barrister?

A barrister is a type of lawyer who specializes in representing clients in court and providing legal advice.

What is a prosecutor?

A prosecutor is a legal representative who brings charges against an individual in a criminal case on behalf of the government.

What are the functions of parliament?

The functions of parliament include making laws, representing the electorate, overseeing the government, and debating political issues.