legal study

Anarchy

State of disorder due to absence or non recognition on laws

Rules

Guidelines established by organisations or groups but are not legally enforced

Laws

Rules made by Parliament or government which are legally enforceable and punishable

Characteristic of justice (access)

All individuals understand their legal rights and are able to access legal help

Characteristic of justice (equality)

Treating all individuals the same before the law, reguardless of characteristics, beliefs, ECT…

Characteristics of justice (fairness)

Upholding impartially and procedure to ensure fair presentation of evidence plus correct peocedure

Summary offences

Minor offences dealt with local courts. Eg, minor theft, driving offences, ECT…

Statute law

Laws formally made by Parliament

Appealate jurisdiction

Higher courts able to review decisions of lower courts and can reverse or modify decisions

Customary law

A system of unwritten laws accepted as norms and are binding as a community. Eg. Indigenous oral traditions

Adversarial system

Legal framework allowing both parties to present cases Infront of an impartial judge

Parliment

Legislative body responsible for making laws and overseeing the government

Terra nullius

Land belonging to no-one. Overturned in the high court during the mabo case

Procedural fairness

Right to be heard and have a decision made by an impartial and unbias decision maker

High court of australia

Highest court and deals with interpreting and applying laws and constitutional matters

Supreme courts

Most serious criminals and complex civil cases in the state. Second highest court

District court

Hears civil claims and criminal cases and some appeals. Second lowest court

Local court

Deals with the smallest cases and summary offences. Eg, minor theft, driving offences,ECT… lowest court

Royal assent

Bills have to be passed by the govenral general before being put into act

Law reform commissions

Reviews laws, develops reports and recommends changes