Statute Law
Who creates statute law in Australia?
A. Judges
B. Parliament
C. Police
D. Lawyers
B. Parliament
Who creates common law?
A. Parliament
B. Teachers
C. The police
D. Judges
D. Judges
Which of the following BEST describes criminal law?
A. Law that settles disagreements
B. Law that protects society and punishes offenders
C. Law made only by judges
D. Law that controls government spending
B. Law that protects society and punishes offenders
What is the main aim of civil law?
A. To punish criminals
B. To make new laws
C. To resolve disputes and compensate people
D. To arrest offenders
C. To resolve disputes and compensate people
Which pair correctly matches each law type with its creator?
A. Statute—judges; Common—parliament
B. Statute—parliament; Common—judges
C. Criminal—parliament; Civil—teachers
D. Civil—police; Criminal—judges
B. Statute—parliament; Common—judges
What is statute law also known as?
A. Guidelines
B. Rules
C. Acts or legislation
D. Precedents
C. Acts or legislation
What is a precedent?
A. A first draft of a bill
B. A past court decision used as a guide
C. A punishment for a crime
D. A written statute
B. A past court decision used as a guide
Which is an example of a criminal offence?
A. Breaking a contract
B. A property boundary dispute
C. Theft
D. A defamation claim
C. Theft
Who brings a civil case to court?
A. The state
B. The police
C. The jury
D. The plaintiff
D. The plaintiff
Which statement is TRUE about civil and criminal law?
A. Civil cases always involve jail time.
B. Criminal cases are always about money.
C. Civil law deals with disputes; criminal law deals with offences.
D. Both are decided by juries only.
C. Civil law deals with disputes; criminal law deals with offences.
What is a bill?
A. A type of court fine
B. A proposed new law
C. A court decision
D. A police report
B. A proposed new law
Why might judges need to create common law?
A. When parliament is closed
B. When the police request it
C. When there is no existing statute for a case
D. When citizens vote for it
C. When there is no existing statute for a case
Who prosecutes a criminal case?
A. The plaintiff
B. The defendant
C. A private lawyer
D. The state/government
D. The state/government
What is usually the outcome of a civil case?
A. Imprisonment
B. Compensation or orders to fix the problem
C. Driver licence suspension
D. Mandatory community service
B. Compensation or orders to fix the problem
Which group is involved in BOTH civil and criminal cases?
A. Judges
B. Parliament
C. Police
D. The Governor-General
A. Judges
Who gives Royal Assent to a new law?
A. The Governor-General/Governor
B. The High Court
C. The Prime Minister
D. The local council
A. The Governor-General/Governor
Which of the following best describes common law?
A. Law made by parliament
B. Law created through court decisions
C. Laws passed by the police
D. Laws voted on by the public
B. Law created through court decisions
What is the standard of proof in criminal cases?
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. On the balance of probabilities
C. Beyond all doubt
D. Reasonable suspicion
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
Which of the following is a civil law issue?
A. Contract disagreement
B. Robbery
C. Assault
D. Arson
A. Contract disagreement
What is one purpose of laws in society?
A. To create arguments
B. To increase government spending
C. To make life more difficult
D. To keep society safe and orderly
D. To keep society safe and orderly
How might society be affected if parliament did not update statute laws regularly to match new technologies or social issues?
A. Society would always stay the same
B. Laws might become outdated and fail to protect people
C. Judges would make all laws
D. People would stop following laws
B. Laws might become outdated and fail to protect people
Why is it important that judges follow precedents unless there is a strong reason not to?
A. It ensures consistency and fairness in the legal system
B. It keeps courts quiet
C. It allows judges to avoid writing new laws
D. It makes parliament unnecessary
A. It ensures consistency and fairness in the legal system
Which situation would MOST likely be treated as a criminal case rather than a civil case?
A. Someone fails to pay rent on time
B. Someone damages a friend’s phone accidentally
C. Someone steals a bike from outside a shop
D. Two neighbours argue over a fence line
C. Someone steals a bike from outside a shop
Why is the standard of proof lower in civil law than in criminal law?
A. Civil cases are always more serious
B. Criminal cases can result in loss of freedom, so stronger evidence is required
C. Civil law is less important
D. Judges prefer easier decisions
B. Criminal cases can result in loss of freedom, so stronger evidence is required
Which statement best explains why both civil and criminal laws are necessary in Australia?
A. Criminal law covers big crimes, while civil law covers small crimes
B. Criminal law is older than civil law
C. Civil law is easier for judges to decide than criminal law
D. Criminal law protects society, while civil law resolves private disputes fairly
D. Criminal law protects society, while civil law resolves private disputes fairly