Chapter 15 Rights | Legal Studies for VCE Units 1 & 2

charter or bill of rights

a document that sets out the basic rights and/or freedoms of the citizens in a particular state or country

express rights

rights that are stated in the Australian Constitution. Express rights are entrenched, meaning they can only be changed by referendum

Human Rights Charter

The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic). The main purpose of this Act is to protect and promote human rights

implied rights

rights that are not expressly stated in the Australian Constitution but are considered to exist through interpretation by the High Court

international declaration

a non-binding agreement between countries that sets out the aspirations (i.e. hopes) of the parties to the agreement

international treaty

a legally binding agreement between countries or intergovernmental organisations, in which they undertake to follow the obligations set out in the agreement and include them in their own local laws

locus standi

a Latin term meaning 'standing in a case'; that is, the litigant must be directly affected by the issues or matters involved in the case for the court to be able to hear and determine the case

statute law

law made by parliament, also known as Acts of Parliament or legislation

ultra vires

a Latin term meaning 'beyond the powers'; a law made beyond the powers of the parliament