Common Law and Justice Principles Quiz

A set of rules and a system for administering and enforcing those rules, aiming to regulate life in society based on reason and fairness, rather than brute force.

Laws created through legislation by government bodies, starting as written bills and debated before becoming official.

Laws based on precedents established by previous court decisions, with higher courts setting binding rulings for lower courts. These rulings become part of the legal system.

The principle that all members of a society, including those in power, must abide by the same laws, ensuring fairness and order.

A core principle of the legal system, involving treating similar cases alike and different cases differently, ensuring fairness and impartiality.

The process of studying and analyzing the philosophy of law. It explores different theories about the nature, purpose, and interpretation of law.

Individuals who are experts in legal theory and practice. They often teach, write, or advise on matters related to the law.

Processes that lead to changes in the law, often influenced by societal shifts, technological advancements, and changing values.

A form of government where citizens have substantial power in decision-making, often through voting and electing representatives.

Organized groups that advocate for specific policies or causes by influencing public opinion and lobbying government officials.

Formal inquiries conducted by the government to investigate matters of national concern, often to gather evidence and provide recommendations.

A legal framework that emphasizes the importance of clear, accessible, and impartial laws. It ensures that law is not used arbitrarily or for unfair advantages.

A system of law where the judge plays an active role in gathering evidence, asking questions, and directing the trial. Advocated in countries like France, South Africa, and Quebec.

A system of law where lawyers present evidence and arguments to a neutral judge or jury. Common in democratic countries, including the US and UK.

The principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A system of justice based on the principle that the offender must take responsibility and repair the harm they caused.

The official publication of a law to make it known to the public.

A set of principles that are universal, unchangeable, and applicable to all people, regardless of culture or time.

The Canadian Constitution that protects a wide range of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The concept that laws should be based on moral principles and should guide people towards living a good life.

The idea that justice is achieved when all parts of society work together for the common good.

A set of rules that are enforced by the state, used to regulate life in society.

A written document that outlines the fundamental principles of a legal system and the structure of government. It is the highest law of the land, and all other laws must be consistent with it.

A situation where a law exceeds the power of the government or court that created it. It means the law is invalid because it goes beyond the authorities granted to the lawmakers.

A situation where a law is within the powers granted to the government or court that created it. It means the law is valid because it stays within its jurisdiction.

Laws passed by federal and provincial legislatures. They take precedence over case law because they are written and approved by elected representatives.

Laws developed through decisions made by judges in courts. The highest court's decision sets a precedent that lower courts must follow in similar cases.

A legal principle that requires judges to follow the precedents set by previous decisions in similar cases.

Facts that are essential to the outcome of a legal case. These facts are relevant to the issues being debated in court.

The principle that similar cases must be decided in a similar way. This ensures fairness and consistency in the application of law.

The idea that judges cannot let their personal feelings or biases influence their decisions. They must apply the law impartially and fairly.

The reason for a judge's decision in a legal case. It explains the legal reasoning behind the ruling and forms the precedent for future cases.

A system of justice focused on punishing offenders for their crimes. It emphasizes retribution and seeks to make an offender pay for their wrongdoing.

A system of justice focused on restoring harmony and order after a crime. It emphasizes repairing the harm caused by the crime and healing the relationships affected.

Laws that are rooted in religious values and attempt to impose them on everyone in society, including non-believers.

The principle that nation-states have the authority to govern themselves within their own territories without interference from other countries.

The legal power of a court or other body to make decisions and judgments.

The ability to act or refrain from acting, regardless of whether it is legal or not.

The legal right to act or refrain from acting, based on an official position.

The quality of being lawful, just, and morally correct.

The right to own and control property, whether it's land, objects, or even intangible things like intellectual property.

Treating everyone equally, regardless of any differences.

Treating people differently based on their specific needs and situations to achieve fairness.

The quality of being kind and compassionate towards all human beings.

The principles that distinguish right from wrong, often based on individual beliefs and societal values.

A principle that ensures fairness and impartiality, giving each person what they deserve.

The underlying influences and principles that shaped the development of laws.

Direct sources that have shaped legal systems, such as religions, philosophies, customs, and historical events.

Laws that are based on the authority of the state, and are seen as binding regardless of morality.

The idea that laws should be obeyed because they are made by a legitimate authority, not necessarily because they are morally good.

A hypothetical scenario in which there are no laws or government, resulting in a chaotic and dangerous existence.

A contract between individuals and the government, where each has obligations: Individuals agree to abide by the law in exchange for protection and security.

Inherent rights that people possess by virtue of being human, regardless of laws or government, and that should be protected by the state.

The theory that laws should be judged by their usefulness or ability to bring about happiness for the greatest number of people.

The principle that individual actions should only be restricted to prevent harm to others. This emphasizes freedom and personal autonomy.

A philosophy that sees law as a science, with rules applied objectively without regard for moral or social considerations.

A view that law should be interpreted realistically, taking into account social and contextual factors, acknowledging that law is flexible and evolves.

The idea that law is not absolute and must be interpreted in light of changing social conditions and values.

A type of discrimination that occurs when a policy or practice appears neutral on its face but has an unintended negative impact on a protected group.

Behaviour that creates a hostile work environment based on prohibited grounds, including verbal abuse, threats, offensive displays, and unwelcome remarks.

Laws aimed at legalizing segregation and marginalizing African Americans in the US during the 19th and 20th centuries.

A federal act in Canada that governs the lives of First Nations people, including status, land, resources, education, and more.

A philosophical theory by John Rawls, arguing that everyone deserves equal basic liberties, with some rights being more fundamental than others.

A government program that aims to improve equality by addressing historical disadvantages faced by specific groups like those marginalized due to race, sex, or disability.

A principle of justice that emphasizes the fair distribution of resources, wealth, and opportunities, ensuring everyone benefits equitably.

A principle of justice that focuses on the fairness of processes and procedures in the legal system, ensuring equal treatment and sanctions for all.

A school of thought that criticizes the law's neutrality and argues that it is a tool for maintaining power structures.

The idea that laws reflect the values of those who create them, and can therefore be biased towards powerful groups.

The notion that the law can maintain social inequality by favoring the interests of powerful groups over marginalized ones.

A theory that the legal system is inherently biased against women.

The idea that law should be used as a tool to ensure the fair allocation of resources, focusing on economic efficiency.

A theory that argues that racism is embedded in legal systems and policies, not just individual bias.

A judicial review process under Section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Courts may strike down an entire law found to violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Courts may declare only a specific part of a law unconstitutional, leaving the rest intact.

Courts may order remedies to address Charter violations, such as declarations, injunctions, or compensation.

Courts interpret legislation in a narrow way to make it align with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Courts add something to a law to include people who should be covered, but aren't. Often used for groups like LGBTQ+ individuals.

A court declares a law valid, but a certain individual is exempt from following it. This is rarely used and only in special cases.

A court declares a law invalid, but lets it stay in effect for a short time so Parliament can make changes.

A section in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that allows provincial legislatures to make laws that go against the Charter. However, it's rarely used and requires regular reviews every 5 years.

The freedom to believe or not believe in a religion, and to practice that religion or not. This right is not absolute and can be limited if it harms a child's well-being.

The right to express your thoughts and opinions freely, even if they are unpopular or controversial. This includes the freedom of the press, but can be restricted if it hurts others.

The right for people to come together or form groups, regardless of their reason. This is important for unionizing, cultural events, sports, and social gatherings.

Discrimination supported by laws and policies, making it official. This includes things like Jim Crow laws, voting restrictions, and residential school policies.

Discrimination built into the systems and procedures of an organization, even if they don't mean to discriminate. This can happen in hiring, promotions, education, and everyday interactions.

A legal principle that requires judges to follow precedents established by previous legal decisions.

The crucial legal principle or reasoning that led to the judgment in a case.

A judge's disagreement with the majority decision in a case.

Detention of an individual without proper legal justification, often violating human rights.

The principle that government can intervene when someone's actions directly harm another individual, such as causing physical injury or breaking an agreement.

Rights held by the public as a whole, such as the right to use public highways.

Rights held by individuals, concerning their own personal interests and freedoms.

Rights that individuals have, especially freedom from arbitrary detention.

A formal, legal process where a third party makes a binding decision to resolve a dispute between two parties.

A process where parties agree to resolve a dispute by using a neutral third party to help find a solution.

People are likely to seek justice when they perceive both unfair procedures and uneven outcomes.

The focus is on putting things back as they were, including acknowledging responsibility and making amends for the harm caused.

Each person should be treated as they treat others, meaning punishment follows wrongdoing.

Retributive justice aims to deter future wrongdoing through punishment, but its effectiveness is debatable.

Punishment in retributive justice can be driven by the desire for satisfaction and revenge, rather than fairness or prevention.

International law is a set of rules governing relations between sovereign states, aiming to regulate conflict and encourage cooperation.

Each nation has complete control over its territory, people, and government, subject to international law.

International law is not based on a formal justice system like domestic law, with limitations in legislature, courts, and enforcement.

International law is voluntary, only countries that agree to be bound by treaties and conventions are subject to them.

Challenges to international law include cultural differences, conflicting domestic laws, and nation's unwillingness to surrender sovereignty.

The key difference between international and domestic law is that international law is voluntary.

The principle that countries must uphold the agreements they have made, emphasizing the importance of keeping promises.

A crime is an act against another person and the community, with both individual and social responsibility.