Show:
Basic Legal Concepts
Sources: Common, Statute, Constitution
Sources: Customary, International,
Classification of Law
Law Reform
Case Studies
100

What is a custom? 

Customs are expectations of behaviour that are not enforceable 

100

What is the legal principle that binds the decision making of magistrates based on earlier court decisions? 

Precedent 

100

Define customary law 

Customary behaviours that are followed for long enough, by enough people, to take on legal characteristics. 
100
Name one type of civil law. 

Contract 

Tort

Property

100

Spell law reform 

Law Reform


100

Which case led to the introduction of mandatory minimum sentencing for drunk assaults? 

R v Loveridge 

200

What is ONE similarity between rules and laws? 

- Create expectations of behaviour 

- Are enforceable 

- Generally have a punishment if breached 

200

What is Australia's Lower House known as? 

House of Representatives 

200

What is the first major international human rights document known as?

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) 

200

Name TWO types of public law 

Criminal 

Constitutional 

Administrative 

200

Give ONE condition of law reform

Changing social values 

Changing technology 

Changing concepts of justice 

International law 

One-off events 

200

Which case created the limited right to legal representation in Australia? 

R v Dietrich (1992) 

300

What is the difference between tyranny and anarchy? 

Anarchy is the absence of functional laws. Tyranny refers to a system of law where power is heavily concentrated and the rule of law does not exist. 
300

A decision in a UK House of Lords case is considered by a NSW Supreme Court judge. What is this an example of? 

Persuasive precedent 

300

What is the concept that enables a country to make its own domestic laws without undue external influence? 

State Sovereignty 

300

How does the role of a judge differ between a common law system (Australia) and a civil law (USA) system? 

In a civil system the judge is able to directly question a defendant and plays an active role in the court proceedings. 

300

Give TWO agencies of law reform 

Media 

NGOs 

Law Reform Commissions 

Parliamentary Committees 

300

Which case clarified that Native Title could exist on land that was leased for mining or pastoralism? 

Wik (1996)

400

What is the rule of law? 

The concept that no-one is above the law

400

What does s. 128 of the Australian Constitution enable? 

A referendum to change it! 
400

Which international court prosecutes individuals for serious crimes against humanity including genocide or war crimes? 

International Criminal Court 

400

Billy takes a fall in a Woolworths and sues for damages. What is the standard of proof in this case? 

Balance of Probabilities 

400

What are the THREE mechanisms of law reform in Australia? 

Courts

Parliament 

Inter-governmental orgs including the UN 

400

Which piece of legislation outlines the process for Youth Justice Conferences in NSW? 

Young Offenders Act 1997 (NSW)

500
Name THREE elements of procedural fairness.

- Right to know the case 

- Right to be heard 

- Right to have case heard by impartial decision-maker 

500

The Tasmanian Dams case (1983) relied on this section of the Constitution to determine a division of powers question.

Section 109
500

The United Nations has 6 organs. Name three of them.

General Assembly

Security Council 

Secretariat

Economic and Social Council

Trusteeship Council 

International Court of Justice 

500

In Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) the court created the body of law known as torts. Explain when these legal remedies are used? 

To rectify serious wrongs between parties where a contract does not exist.

500

In which year was the last Australian executed via the death penalty? 

1967 - Ronald Ryan in Melbourne 

500

How many guns were surrendered as part of the gun buyback scheme after Port Arthur? 

650,000