Y11LS - U1AOS1 - The Types of Law (Criminal and Civil)

Criminal Law: Protects the community by establishing crimes and penalties.
Civil Law: Regulates disputes among individuals/groups, seeks enforcement of rights where harm occurred.
Key Distinctions: Aim of law, consequences of violations, burden and standard of proof.
Relationship: An action can lead to both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuit.

Definition of criminal offences and their associated penalties (fines, community correction orders, imprisonment).
Concepts of burden of proof: party responsible for substantiating the case.
Standard of proof: "beyond reasonable doubt" for criminal cases, explains the high threshold.

Common Terms: prosecution, accused, guilty/not guilty, charges, sanctions, conviction.

Civil Law: Focuses on regulating disputes and enforcing rights when harm occurs.
Parties involved: Plaintiff (the one suing) and Defendant (the one being sued).
Burden of proof: Plaintiff must substantiate on the balance of probabilities.

Types:
- Tort law: negligence, defamation.
- Family law: marriage, divorce.
- Workplace laws: conditions, contracts.
- Consumer law: agreements, advertising regulations.
- Property law: wills and real estate.
Common Terms: plaintiff, defendant, sue, compensation, damages, civil wrongs.

Prosecution: The legal party responsible for presenting the case against an individual accused of a crime.
Accused: The person who has been charged with a crime.
Guilty/Not Guilty: The verdicts issued in criminal cases indicating whether the accused is responsible for the crime.
Charges: Formal accusations brought against an individual in a legal context.
Sanctions: Penalties imposed as a consequence of a violation of law, which may include fines, imprisonment, or community service.
Conviction: A judgment that someone is guilty of a crime.
Plaintiff: The individual who brings a lawsuit against another party in a civil case.
Defendant: The person being sued or accused in a court of law.
Sue: To bring a legal action against someone in court.
Compensation: A payment awarded to a plaintiff for damages or losses incurred.
Damages: Monetary compensation awarded in a civil case for harm caused to the plaintiff.
Civil Wrongs: Actions that cause harm to individuals or entities, leading to legal liability