Legal terms for HSC

• Common Law


  Law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals, rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action
• Civil Law


  A legal system inspired by Roman law that is the most widespread system of law in the world, used in various forms in approximately 150 countries
• Statute Law


  Law made by parliament, also known as legislation or Acts of Parliament
• The Rule of Law


  The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced; no one is above the law
• Institutions of the Law


  • Courts
  • Parliament
  • Police
• Legal Personnel


  • Judges
  • Magistrates
  • Lawyers
• Plaintiff


  A person who brings a case against another in a court of law
• Defendant


  An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law
• Accused


  A person officially charged with a crime
• Crown


  The state as the repository of ultimate authority and the source of legal and administrative power
• Prosecutor


  A legal representative of the prosecution in criminal proceedings
• Jurisdiction


  The official power to make legal decisions and judgments
• Precedent


  A principle or rule established in a previous legal case that is either binding on or persuasive for a court or other tribunal
• Case Law


  The law as established by the outcome of former cases
• Legal Processes


  • Trial
  • Appeal
  • Bail
  • Summary Offense
  • Indictable Offense
• Actus Reus


  The physical element of a crime; the guilty act
• Mens Rea


  The mental element of a crime; the guilty mind
• Elements of a Crime

  The components that must be fulfilled in order to prove criminal liability
• Strict Liability Offenses


  Offenses that do not require proof of the defendant's intent
• Defenses


  Arguments made by a defendant to defeat the claims of the plaintiff or prosecutor
• Sentencing


  The punishment imposed on a defendant after conviction, such as imprisonment, fines, probation, or community service
• Tort


  A civil wrong that causes harm, for which the law provides a remedy
• Negligence


  Failure to take proper care in doing something, resulting in damage or injury to another
• Breach of Contract


  Failure to fulfill the obligations of a contract without a legal excuse
• Defamation


  The action of damaging the good reputation of someone through false statements
• Remedy


  A legal means of enforcing a right or correcting a wrong
• Damages


  Money claimed by, or ordered to be paid to, a person as compensation for loss or injury
• Family Law


  • Divorce
  • Property Settlement
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
• Human Rights


  • Discrimination
  • Freedom of Speech
  • Freedom of Religion
  • Right to a Fair Trial
• Legal Studies Concepts


  • Justice
  • Equality
  • Ethics
  • Morality
  • Legal Aid