Foundations of Law
What are laws?
Rules established and enforced by the government for everyone to follow
What ancient legal code is associated with the Babylonian King Hammurabi?
Hammurabi's Code
What document protects fundamental rights and freedoms in Canada's Constitution?
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
What is a proposed law called before it is passed?
A bill
What type of law deals primarily with disputes between individuals or organizations?
Private Law
What is the principle that everyone, including government leaders, must obey the law?
The rule of law
What famous English document limited the power of the king and established the idea that rulers are subject to the law?
The Magna Carta
The Canadian legal system has been strongly influenced by which two European legal systems?
French and English traditional law
What is a law that has been passed by a legislative body called?
A statute
What type of law established rights, duties, and obligations?
Substantive law
What is one major difference between a rule and a law?
Laws are enforced by the state and carry legal consequences
What was one major advantage of writing laws down in ancient societies?
Laws became more visible, predictable, and consistent
** DAILY DOUBLE **
Name 2 Human Rights outlined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written in 1948.
Life, Liberty, and Safety
Dignity and Equality
Freedom from Slavery and Torture
Equality Before the Law
Privacy and Movement
Asylum and Nationality
Marriage and Family
Property Ownership
Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion
Freedom of Opinion and Expression
Freedom of Assembly and Association
Social Security and Work
Rest and Leisure
Adequate Standard of Living
Education
Cultural Participation
Responsibilities to the Community
Which federal parliamentary chamber has elected members who debate and vote on proposed laws?
The House of Commons
What is precedent?
A previous court decision that can guide courts when deciding later cases with similar facts
Why do laws change over time?
Society's values, beliefs, technology, and circumstances can change, leading governments to change laws.
Early English law relied heavily on customs and decisions made by judges. What legal tradition developed from this?
Common Law
Why was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights created in the aftermath of WW2?
The crimes against humanity during WW2 showed the need to protect human rights
What is the general term for a group that tries to influence government decisions or law-making?
A lobby group
A customer pays a business to repair their bike, but the business fails to perform the agreed work. What area of private law could apply?
Contract law
Laws often have to balance two competing interests, what are these interests?
Individual rights and freedoms, and the safety of society
Why could following an old legal precedent sometimes create a problem for a modern court?
The old decision may no longer fit modern circumstances, values, or understanding of justice
What legal principle allows a person who has been detained to challenge whether their detention is lawful?
Habeas Corpus
Put these in the correct order: Royal Assent, bill introduced, debate and voting, consideration by the other chamber
Bill introduced - Debate/voting - consideration by the other chamber - Royal Assent
**DAILY DOUBLE**
A repair shop performs work poorly, and a customer is injured by result. What two areas of private law could potentially be involved?
Contract law and Tort law.