Introduction to Legal Concepts

An agreement between two or more individuals to commit an illegal act, or to achieve a lawful act through unlawful means.

A body of law that defines rights and duties of individuals and governments.

The principle that everyone is subject to the same laws, regardless of their position or power.

A significant change that would negatively impact an employer's viability or create major health/safety risks, outweighing the benefits of accommodation.

A field of law dealing with civil wrongs and damages caused by one person or company to another, without a contractual relationship.

Limits or checks on the authority of government officials or powerful entities to prevent abuse of power.

A specific, actionable crime like assault, theft, or murder, usually determined by the government.

A private legal dispute between two or more individuals, usually resolved in civil court.

Laws created and formally written by a legislative body like Parliament or Congress.

A proposal outlining details of a new law or policy, often presented by the government.

A situation where someone is presumed guilty based on evidence, unless they can prove otherwise.

The process of thoroughly investigating and verifying information before making a crucial decision.

A specific process for changing a constitution, often requiring special procedures.

The act of potentially exposing oneself to legal consequences by providing incriminating evidence.

Rights that cannot be given up, sold, or transferred, even with consent.

An act that is considered unfair, unjust, or exploitative.

A situation where a contract or agreement is extremely unfair or one-sided, shocking the conscience of a reasonable person.

A set of principles, theories, and philosophies that form the foundation of the law.

The practice of favoring corporations and wealthy individuals over the rights of marginalized communities.

A legal approach that actively strives to correct historical injustices through legal means.

Training designed to make judges and lawyers aware of their unconscious biases to minimize prejudiced decision-making.

A legal doctrine that often protects police officers from liability when they violate someone's rights.

Countries working together to share rules and ideas on things like human rights and protecting the environment.

Agreements like the Paris Agreement on climate change face challenges because countries may disagree or find it difficult to follow through.

Legal principle that assumes everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifically protects the presumption of innocence in Section 11(d).

The prosecution, not the accused, must provide enough evidence to convince the court beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty.

Legal philosophy that examines how judges actually apply the law in real-world situations.

Legal realists criticized earlier ideas that focused only on written laws and legal principles.

Legal realism emphasizes the role of judges in shaping legal outcomes and the importance of understanding their decision-making process.

The accused's state of mind when committing a crime. It focuses on their intentions and understanding at the time, considering internal and external factors.

Judges the accused's actions against a 'reasonable person' standard. It checks if their conduct was unreasonable, regardless of their intent.

A written or oral statement from a crime victim (or family) shared during sentencing. It provides personal impact information, giving victims a voice and potentially influencing the sentence and offender's understanding of the harm caused.

A system where international cooperation, treaties, and organizations work together to address global issues.

The interconnectedness of global markets requires countries to cooperate on issues like trade rules, labor standards, and financial regulations.

The mental state of a person required to be found guilty of a crime. It refers to the accused's intention or knowledge when committing the act.

The physical act of committing a crime. It's the external, observable action.

Rules and guidelines set by government authorities to control the actions of individuals, organizations, or businesses within specific industries.

The process of establishing whether a crime was intentional or unintentional. This helps determine the level of guilt and the appropriate punishment.

Secondary legislation created by executive branch agencies under authority from the legislature.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enforces federal laws, such as criminal law, immigration laws, and certain regulatory offenses.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for enforcing regulations related to customs, immigration, and import/export of goods.

Provincial police forces, like the Ontario Provincial Police, enforce laws within their provinces, including provincial regulations and certain criminal offenses.

Provincial Ministries, such as the Ministry of the Environment or Ministry of Health, enforce laws related to their areas within their specific province.

Local police departments enforce municipal laws like traffic regulations, bylaw enforcement, and local ordinances.

City bylaw officers handle specific local regulatory matters, such as zoning laws, building codes, and noise regulations.