📚 AUSTRALIAN LEGAL SYSTEM – BIG STUDY NOTES

Federal Government

Makes laws for the whole of Australia and is responsible for defence, immigration, foreign affairs, trade, Medicare, Centrelink, and national roads and infrastructure.

State Government

Makes laws for each state or territory and is responsible for schools, hospitals, police, roads and traffic, public transport, and courts and justice.

Local Government

Looks after the local community and is responsible for libraries, parks, playgrounds, local roads, rubbish collection, and community facilities.

Bicameral Parliament

A parliament that has two houses, specifically the House of Representatives and the Senate, providing checks and balances.

Separation of Powers

Divides government power into three branches: legislative (parliament), executive (government and ministers), and judiciary (courts and judges) to prevent one group from becoming too powerful.

High Court of Australia

The highest court in Australia, which interprets and applies Australian law, decides important constitutional cases, hears appeals, and sets precedents for lower courts.

Supreme Court of Western Australia

The highest state court in WA that handles very serious criminal and civil cases.

Magistrates Court

The busiest and lowest-level court, which deals with less serious criminal offences and smaller civil disputes.

Judge

An important participant in the legal system who applies the law and controls court proceedings.

Jury

A group of ordinary citizens that decides the guilt or innocence of the accused in a trial.

Witness

Someone who provides evidence in court, either by having seen or heard something relevant to the case.

Legal Practitioner

A professional who has specialized knowledge of law, provides legal advice, and represents clients in legal matters.

Solicitor

A legal practitioner who prepares cases, communicates with clients, and may appear in court for less serious matters.

Barrister

A legal practitioner who specializes in courtroom trials and presenting legal arguments.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to monitor the others.

Electoral Roll

A list of registered voters from which jurors can be selected for jury duty.