Grade 12 Law Chapter 1 & 2 Review

Vocabulary terms, key concepts, historical influences, categories, and landmark court cases covered in Chapters 1 and 2 Grade 12 Law review.

Demographic Changes

Changes in population size, age, diversity, and immigration that drive updates to laws, such as stronger multicultural and human rights protections.

Technological Changes

Developments in technology that create new legal issues, leading to laws regarding cybercrime, social media privacy, AI, and digital surveillance.

Magna Carta (1215)

An historic document establishing that everyone, including rulers, is subject to the law, governments cannot act arbitrarily, and individuals have legal rights such as a fair trial.

Rule of Law

The legal principle that no person is above the law and that laws must be applied equally to everyone.

Role of the Judiciary

The function of judges to interpret laws, strike down laws that violate the Charter, and create legal precedents through court decisions.

Nelson Mandela

An individual who opposed racial segregation in South Africa, helped end apartheid, and contributed to equal rights regardless of race.

Henry Morgentaler

An individual who challenged Canada's abortion laws, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case that struck down the existing law.

R. v. Morgentaler (1988)

A landmark Supreme Court decision that struck down Canada's abortion law because it violated Section 7 of the Charter (life, liberty, and security of the person).

Sue Rodriguez

An individual with ALS who argued for the right to assisted death; her 1993 Supreme Court loss initiated public discussions that eventually influenced the legalization of MAID.

Interest Groups

Organizations that advocate for legal and social change through methods such as lobbying and public campaigns.

Egan v. Canada (1995)

A court challenge by a same-sex couple regarding Old Age Security benefits that led the Supreme Court to recognize sexual orientation as a protected ground under Section 15 of the Charter.

M. v. H. (1999)

A Supreme Court case ruling that excluding same-sex couples from Ontario's family law legislation was discriminatory, leading to expanded legal recognition of same-sex relationships.

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

An advocacy group that uses public education and lobbying to influence tougher laws against impaired driving.

Greek Influence

A primary historical source of law that contributed the idea of democracy and citizen participation in government.

Roman Influence

A primary historical source of law that introduced written legal codes, the rule of law, and formal legal procedures and justice systems.

Aboriginal Influence

A primary historical source of law contributing traditional laws, customs, consensus decision-making, and restorative justice practices.

French Influence

A primary historical source of law introducing the Civil Law tradition, which is still used in Quebec for private law matters.

British Influence

A primary historical source of law introducing the Common Law system, parliamentary democracy, and judicial precedent.

Judicial Interpretation

The authority of judges to interpret existing laws, determine how laws apply, and establish legal precedents.

Parliamentary Law

Laws passed as statutes by elected legislatures, including Parliament and provincial legislatures.

Constitution

The supreme law of Canada, which includes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and requires all other laws to comply with it.

Statute Law

Written laws formally passed by Parliament or provincial legislatures.

Case Law

Law created through judicial court decisions, based on precedent.

Substantive Law

A category of law that defines rights and offences, such as the Criminal Code and human rights law.

Procedural Law

A category of law that outlines how legal cases are handled, such as trial procedures and rules of evidence.

Domestic Law

Laws that apply specifically within Canada's borders, such as criminal law and family law.

International Law

Legal rules governing relationships between nations, such as treaties and international agreements.

Public Law

The branch of law dealing with relationships between individuals and the government, including criminal, constitutional, and administrative law.

Private Law

The branch of law dealing with legal disputes between private individuals or organizations, including contract, family, property, and tort law.

Natural Law

A legal theory holding that laws are based on morality, ethics, and fundamental rights that naturally exist.

Positive Law

Laws formally created and enacted by governmental or legal authorities, such as the Criminal Code of Canada.

R. v. Keegstra (1990)

A Supreme Court ruling establishing that while hate speech laws limit freedom of expression under Section 2(b), the limitation is justified under Section 1 of the Charter to prevent harm to society.