Law & SocietyCommerce Syllabus Core Part 2.1

AgendaThe legal framework

Reasons for lawsThe legal systemCourt structureJuries

Areas of lawClassifying lawsHow laws are made

CommonStatuteConstitutions

Relationship of laws to values, morals & ethicsHow laws are changed

Using the legal system

Accessing the lawCostTimeProceduresLanguage

Issues of fairness facing the law

(A) Learning The Lingo

Anarchy

Burden of Proof

Case

Fundamental rights

Indictable Offences

Judge

Jury

Legally Binding Decision

Natural Justice

Presumption Of Innocence

Summary Offences

The Lingo Explained

AnarchyWhen there is no law or government, people are free to do as they please and society is unable to function

Burden of ProofThe legal principle that the prosecution must prove that the accused is guilty of the crime

CaseA proceeding in a court of law.

Fundamental rightsThose rights to which every human is entitled

Lingo (cont)Indictable Offences

Serious offences that require a full trial with a jury. Examples are armed robbery, murder and serious drug offences

JudgeA highly trained legal professional who presides over District, Supreme and High Courts. The judge’s role is to advise the jury and pass the sentence

JuryA group of people chosen randomly from the community to determine the guilt or non-guilt of the accused in serious criminal law matters

Lingo (cont)Legally Binding Decision

An order that is given by a court and must be followed.

Natural JusticeThe right to be treated fairly in legal matters

Presumption Of InnocenceThe belief that a party accused of a crime is innocent unless it is proven that the party has committed the crime.

Summary OffencesLess serious crimes that are dealt with by the Local Court. An example is shoplifting

The Legal Framework •Reasons for laws•The legal system•Court structure•Juries

Reasons for Laws

(A)Why Do We Need

Laws?What would society look like without laws?

Research Activity

1 Watch the videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY9BmU_ECwI

2 Read the article “Egyptians Defiant as Military Does Little to Quash Protests

“ NYT 29/01/2011

3 Find one other current article on the revolution in Egypt.

4 Name 3 consequences of the collapse of law in Egypt

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/03/world/middleeast/20110203-tahrir-square-protest-diagram.html?ref=middleeast&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2#panel/3

What's The Difference?

RulesApplies to some of the people some of the time, and can be quite specificDon’t stay up late on a school nightWash your hands after you’ve used the toiletDon’t wear blue and green colours together (blue and green should never be seen)

LawsApplies to all of the people all of the timeGive way to the right at a round aboutDon’t trespass on others propertyDon’t download music on a pay for play site without paying for it

(A) At Gilroy we have rules and regulationsCreate a table:

Column 1 heading: Gilroy rules and regulations

Column 2 heading: Established Laws in Society

In pairs compare at least 4 Gilroy rules to Law in Australia

The Legal System

Who Are The Players?

State = in NSW is the Local, District & Supreme Courts

Federal = For all of Australian states and territories is the High Court, Federal Court And Family Courts Of Australia

Who Does What!Local Court

E.g. Waverley Local Court

District E.g. Parramatta District Court

Supreme CourtsE.g. Supreme Court of NSW

High Court Of Australia

Federal Court Of Australia

Family Court Of Australia