Canadian Law: Evolution, Sources, and Foundations
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Which of the following is the most accurate description of the role of 'precedence' in the Canadian common law system?

  • Statutes passed by legislatures always take precedence over previous court decisions.
  • Judges are free to disregard past decisions if they believe those decisions were unjust.
  • Judges must respect decisions of higher courts in similar cases when making their rulings. (correct)
  • Precedence is only relevant in cases involving federal law, not provincial law.

In a court case, what is the key difference between the ratio decidendi and obiter dicta?

  • The *ratio decidendi* is the part of the judgment that establishes the legal principle, while *obiter dicta* are non-binding, additional comments. (correct)
  • The *ratio decidendi* is the procedural history of the case, while the *obiter dicta* is the legal reasoning.
  • *Obiter dicta* are binding on future courts, whereas the *ratio decidendi* is merely persuasive.
  • The *ratio decidendi* represents the dissenting opinion, while the *obiter dicta* reflects the majority view.

How do historic treaties in Canada differ significantly from modern treaties with Indigenous peoples?

  • Historic treaties often involved an imbalance of power and a lack of understanding, while modern treaties aim for fair negotiation. (correct)
  • Historic treaties were primarily focused on land claims, whereas modern treaties address self-government.
  • Modern treaties are considered less authoritative sources of law than historic treaties.
  • Modern treaties are exclusively negotiated in oral tradition, unlike historic treaties.

Why is customary law considered a less prominent source of law in Canada compared to legislation and case law?

<p>The Canadian legal system has largely codified laws through legislation and case law, overshadowing unwritten customs. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the King's representative (Governor General) play in the enactment of statutes and legislation in Canada?

<p>The Governor General must provide Royal Assent (sign off) to formally enact laws passed by the legislature. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does increasing complexity in law influence the reliance on expert witnesses in legal proceedings?

<p>Increased complexity means greater reliance on expert witnesses to interpret specialized knowledge for the court. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects a key difference between Indigenous sources of law and Canadian legal traditions?

<p>Indigenous legal traditions are not homogenous across different Indigenous groups, reflecting diverse cultural practices. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sacred law is cited as one of the five sources of Indigenous law. Where does sacred law originate?

<p>The Creator and creation stories. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor most directly prompted the creation of a federal system with distinct provincial powers in Canada?

<p>The need to balance regional interests and prevent potential fragmentation or annexation by the United States. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the existence of legal pluralism affect the Canadian legal system?

<p>It recognizes the co-existence of multiple legal traditions, stemming from Indigenous legal orders, common law, and civil law. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Canadian law, which statement best describes the relationship between substantive and procedural law?

<p>Procedural law can, at times, have substantive implications, influencing the outcome of a case. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects an instance where international law most directly intersects with Canadian domestic law?

<p>The interpretation and application of the 'cruel and unusual punishment' provision within the <em>Charter</em>, influenced by international human rights standards. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Magna Carta (1215) influence the development of legal systems?

<p>By initiating a shift from absolute monarchical power towards shared governance, though not immediately democratic. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following areas of law would primarily address disputes between private citizens or entities, rather than involving the state directly?

<p>Contract law, governing agreements between individuals or organizations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes how technology influences both public and private law?

<p>Technology creates the need for new regulations regarding privacy, data security, and intellectual property, impacting both public and private law. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A new environmental regulation is enacted that affects how a private company disposes of industrial waste. Which areas of law would this potentially involve?

<p>Both public and private law, as it involves a government regulation affecting a private entity's operations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Dynamic Nature of Law

A principle stating that law is not static but constantly changing.

Magna Carta (1215)

A foundational document limiting the monarch's power, establishing principles of due process.

Legal Pluralism

The coexistence of multiple legal systems within a single political or legal order.

Public Law

Law that governs the relationship between individuals and the state.

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Private Law

Law that governs the relationship between private individuals or entities.

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Substantive Law

Law that defines rights and obligations.

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Procedural Law

Law that outlines the procedures for enforcing rights and obligations.

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Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

A constitutional document outlining the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians.

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Legislation

Laws passed by elected officials.

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Case Law

Laws based on past court decisions and legal precedents.

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Customary Law

Unwritten laws derived from long-standing traditions and practices.

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Authoritative Publications

Legal principles extracted from writings.

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Ratio Decidendi

The reason or rationale behind a court's decision, forming a precedent.

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Obiter Dicta

Statements made by a court that are not essential to the decision.

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Treaties

'Agreements' between Indigenous peoples and settler governments that define rights and obligations.

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Sacred Law

Laws originating from the Creator, creation stories, and spiritual beliefs.

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Study Notes

  • Law is not fixed; it is constantly evolving, which poses challenges to legal theories.

Changes in Law

  • Changes in law include prohibition on drugs, medically assisted dying, and death penalty prohibition
  • The Charter contributes to law change
  • Criminal law's purpose includes restorative/rehabilitative justice, and human rights considerations, not just punishment.

Early Sources

  • The Magna Carta (1215) was the first shift from monarchy to more democratic rule, although power remained with powerful barons.
  • The feudal system lasted in Canada until 1666.
  • Early law in Canada featured colonial law overlapping with Indigenous law (legal pluralism).
  • Canadian legal foundations consist of the Royal Proclamation (1763), Quebec Act (1774), Constitution Act (1791), British North America Act (1867), and Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982).
  • The background factors include fear of American expansion and railroads.
  • Regional diversity led to Canada becoming a federation with provinces, and included division of powers in Constitution.
  • Canadian Legal Context includes: Settler Law, imperfect classification, and important interactions and overlaps between domestic and international law.

Substantive Law and Procedural Law

  • Substantive and procedural laws exist, including cruel and unusual punishment (Charter) and torture (international human rights).
  • Procedural law can be substantive.

Public Law and Private Law

  • Public and Private laws address private persons and the public.
  • Public law: constitutional, criminal, administrative, and taxation law.
  • Private law: contract, torts, real estate, corporate, property, family, trusts, and patent law, with overlaps between public and private interests.

Major Influences

  • British, French, and U.S. Law
  • Western Philosophy includes Judaism and Christianity
  • Technology
  • Legal Pluralism is when multiple forms of law coexist.
  • Two systems can coexist within a political/legal order, such as common and civil law in Canada.
  • Colonial powers superimposed legal orders where law existed before colonialism (Indigenous Law).

Sources of Law

  • The four main sources of law are legislation, case law, and customary law.
  • Legislation is passed by elected officials; Case law has precedence and is common Law.
  • Statutes and Legislations are laws made by legislatures and parliament, which are signed off on by the Monarchy's representative (Governor General).
  • Authoritative publications (e.g. books) are written and unwritten Law.

Case Law

  • Case law, or jurisprudence, is common law in Canada, where judges rely on statutes and past cases.
  • There is a hierarchy of courts and respect for precedence, with the SCC as the apex court.
  • Case law terms: Ratio decidendi (reason for a case), Obiter dicta (not directly relevant statements), parties involved, plaintiff (brings case), defendant (against whom the case is brought), majority/dissent from the judges.

Treaties

  • Treaties are agreements between Indigenous peoples and settler governments that define rights and obligations, including historic and modern treaties.
  • Historic treaties were abusive because Indigenous leaders had no way to verify agreements.
  • Oral agreements were considered important for Indigenous peoples due to oral tradition.

Custom/ Customary Law

  • Custom and Customary Law is the 'original' law derived from behaviors and practices over time and varies culturally.
  • In Canada, law was already made concretely law
  • Unwritten conventions in the Constitution exist (SCC, Reference re Secession of Quebec, 1998).

Expertise and Authority

  • Expertise and Authority comes from books, articles, etc.
  • Works of experts: scholars, academics, thinkers, etc. (e.g. Blackstone)
  • Expert witnesses: psychologists, doctors, or forensic scientists - increased law complexity means increased reliance on experts.

Indigenous Sources of Law

  • Indigenous Sources of Law differ from Canadian legal traditions.
  • They are concerned with community safety, fairness and accountability.

Sources of Indigenous Law

  • Sacred Law: From the Creator, creation stories, etc.
  • Deliberative Law: Processes of persuasion, deliberation, council, and discussion (e.g. talking circles)
  • Custom: Practices (developed through repetitive patterns of social interaction), such as marriages and family relations.
  • Positive Law: Rules, regulations, teachings by elders/community leaders. Natural Law:
    • Relationship with the physical world
    • Nature
    • Human interaction Natural laws are not watertight but interact with each other.

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Explore the dynamic nature of law and its challenges to legal theories. This includes shifts like drug prohibition and evolving views on criminal justice. Learn about early sources such as the Magna Carta and Canadian legal foundations, from the Royal Proclamation to the Charter of Rights.

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