Civics and Law Key Words Review

53 vocabulary flashcards extracted directly from the civics and legal studies lecture schedule.

Democracy

A system of government by the whole population or all eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Rule of law

The principle that all people, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are publicly made, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated.

Preferential voting

An electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference on their ballot paper.

Democratic values

The fundamental beliefs and principles that guide a democratic society, such as freedom, equality, fairness, and justice.

Australian Constitution

The supreme legal document that sets out the fundamental rules, structure, and powers for governing Australia.

Proportional representation

An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the total number of votes cast for them.

The Westminster System

A parliamentary system of government modeled after that of the United Kingdom, used in Australia.

Laws

Formal rules created and enforced by a government or legal authority to regulate behavior in society.

Electorate

A designated geographical area or body of voters represented by an elected parliamentary official.

Justice

The concept and application of fairness, impartiality, and reasonable treatment under the law.

Eligibility

The state of meeting the legal requirements or qualifications to vote or stand for election.

Voter

An individual who meets legal qualifications and is entitled to cast a vote in an election.

Secret ballot

A voting method in which a voter's choices in an election are confidential and anonymous.

parliamentary

Relating to a parliament or system of government where executive power derives from the legislature.

electoral roll

An official list of individuals who are registered and eligible to vote in an election.

majority

A political condition where a party or candidate holds more than half of the total votes or legislative seats.

interest groups

Organized groups of individuals who seek to influence public policy based on shared concerns.

confidence

The support of a majority in parliament required by a government to remain in office.

lobby groups

Organizations formed to actively persuade government decision-makers on specific issues or policies.

balance of power

A situation where a minor party or independents hold enough seats to decide the outcome of a vote between major parties.

direct action

Public activities such as strikes or demonstrations taken to achieve political or social goals outside negotiations.

statute laws

Acts of parliament made and formally enacted by a legislative body.

common law

Law created and developed through rulings made by judges in court cases.

bill

A proposal for a new law, or a change to an existing law, presented to parliament for debate.

court hierarchy

The ranking of courts from lowest to highest based on their legal authority and jurisdiction.

legislation

A law or set of laws formally passed by a parliament.

precedent

A legal principle established in a previous court case that guides or binds future court decisions in similar cases.

the opposition

The political party holding the second largest number of seats in parliament, opposing the governing party.

binding precedent

A legal rule established by a higher court that lower courts in the same hierarchy are required to follow.

homicide

The unlawful killing of one human being by another.

the accused

A person formally charged with committing a criminal offence.

liable

Legally responsible or subject to legal obligations under civil or criminal law.

Customary law

Traditional systems of law and customs established and observed by Indigenous Australian communities.

manslaughter

The unlawful killing of a person without premeditation or intent.

summary offences

Less serious criminal offences that are tried and determined by a magistrate without a jury.

defendant

A person or entity accused or sued in a court of law.

The Dreaming

The core belief system and spiritual framework of Indigenous Australians that explains creation, existence, and law.

prosecute

To initiate and conduct formal legal proceedings against a person accused of a crime.

magistrate

A judicial officer who presides over summary proceedings and lower court matters.

plaintiff

The party who brings a legal action or civil lawsuit against another in a court of law.

codified

Arranged systematically into a comprehensive written code of law.

burden of proof

The obligation to present evidence to establish a disputed fact in court.

beyond reasonable doubt

The standard of proof required to convict a defendant in a criminal proceeding.

defamation

The act of causing damage to a person's or organization's reputation through false statements.

presumption of innocence

The legal principle that an accused person is considered innocent until proven guilty.

standard of proof

The level or degree of evidence required to prove a legal claim or charge in court.

negligence

A failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in injury, damage, or loss to another.

indictable offences

Serious criminal offences that are tried before a judge and jury in a higher court.

civil law

The area of law that deals with disputes between private individuals, businesses, or institutions.

age of criminal responsibility

The minimum age at which a young person can be held legally responsible for committing a crime.

juvenile

A young person who is not yet legally recognized as an adult.

responsible adult

An adult present during police questioning or court proceedings to safeguard a young person's rights.

right to silence

The legal right of a suspect to refrain from answering police questions or giving evidence.