Introduction to the Irish Legal System

Law is defined as the set of rules created by authorized institutions of a state or jurisdiction to govern that state. It is enforced by the state, and breaches result in sanctions imposed by state-authorized bodies.
Primary functions include establishing standards for societal behavior, maintaining order, resolving disputes between individuals and bodies, and protecting fundamental citizen rights.
Law differs from ethics and morality in its enforcement; while morality varies by individual belief, law is written, applicable to all, and subject to constant change.

A legal system consists of the totality of laws regulating a state and requires laws, an institution to create or alter them, and an institution to enforce them. Types include common law, civil law, Islamic, Talmudic, and indigenous systems.
Public Law: Regulates the interaction between citizens and the state, including criminal, constitutional, and administrative law.
Private Law: Regulates relationships between individuals, including contract, tort, property, and family law.
Substantive Law vs. Procedural Law and Common Law vs. Statutory Law are other primary divisions.

Criminal Law: Deals with wrongs committed against the state. Cases are decided by a judge and jury, focusing on punishment (e.g., imprisonment). The burden of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt."
Civil Law: Deals with disputes between private individuals or companies. Cases are determined by a judge only, focusing on compensation or damages. The burden of proof is the "balance of probabilities."
Statute of Limitations: Indictable criminal cases generally have no limit, whereas civil cases are time-restricted (e.g., $2\text{ years}$ for personal injury, $1\text{ year}$ for defamation).

Common Law: A body of "judge-made" law originating in England in the $11\text{th Century}$ . It relies on the doctrine of precedent (stare decisis), where decisions by higher courts are binding on lower courts.
The Constitution (Bunreacht na h\u00c9ireann $1937$ ): The highest doctrine of law in Ireland. It establishes the separation of powers among the Legislature (Oireachtas), the Executive (Government), and the Judiciary (Courts).
Legislation: Written laws or statutes created by the Oireachtas. These include primary legislation (Acts) and secondary/delegated legislation (orders, rules, or bye-laws).
European Union Law: Based on treaties (e.g., Maastricht, Lisbon), EU law enjoys supremacy over national law, including the Constitution. It includes directly effective Regulations and Directives that must be transposed into domestic law.

Courts interpret legislation using three primary rules: the Literal Rule (basic wording), the Golden Rule (to avoid unjust results), and the Mischief Rule (reviewing the intent behind the law).
The court hierarchy from lowest to highest: District Court (minor offenses), Circuit Court, High Court (serious offenses), Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court (final appeal).

Scenario: During a night out, John hits Mark with a chair, causing bad injuries. Is John guilty of assault, and who can prosecute or provide compensation?
Response: John can be found guilty of assault. The State can prosecute him for the criminal offense, while Mark can initiate a civil case against John to seek compensation for his injuries.