Introduction to Law PDF

Introduction to law ------------------- **What is law?** A binding custom or practice of community: a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by authority. We need law to ensure a safe society, resolve disputes and respect human rights. = Law can be def...

Introduction to law ------------------- **What is law?** A binding custom or practice of community: a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by authority. We need law to ensure a safe society, resolve disputes and respect human rights. = Law can be defined as a system of rules which regulate relationships in society and can be enforced by the state bodies. [Descriptive law] = how things work/how they are, describe how something behaves [Prescriptive law] = prescribe how one should behave (e.g. how fast people ought to drive) -- sanction [Informal rules] = at this level sanctions may only take the form of criticism or some negative reactions given by society [Formal rules] = at this level sanctions are felt more strongly, one may be subject to warning preceding suspension of membership or the ultimate penalty which is expulsion from the respective institution [Laws] -- The powers (police and courts, and the rule-makers) come into play if someone break the law Two kinds of legal action may ensue -- civil **legal action** (sanction: financial compensation\...) and **criminal legal action** (sanctions: fine or imprisonment) - [Civil legal action] = injured party brings a civil action against the defendant and wants damages - [Criminal legal action] = there is criminal prosecution by the state and the loser of the case may be convicted and sentenced to a fine or Imprisonment [Sue] = take someone to the court [To resolve disputes] = řešit spory **Zákon:** [Statute] = laws made by parliament [A law] = an enacted statute or regulation [Act (Act of Parliament)] = creates a new law or exchange an existing law **Law** \- system of rules = [právo] (law -- objective law, right -- subjective law) \- a piece of enacted statute = [zákon]