Defining the Law
1. Define the following words: precedent, bijural, federation, statute,
regulation.
Precedent: A past/earlier event/case that is used as an example/guide in similar
events/cases, used in comparison. Judges will make similar decisions for similar cases.
Bijural: bi:two: Meaning that a state/country coexists with two legal traditions. Canada
uses common and civil law, Canada is bijural. Uses two types of law.
Federation: An organization/group that has some extent of autonomy, but still is in
relations with the government. AKA; association, alliances. Smaller groups/divisions all
together.
Statue: A law that is passed by a legislative branch of the government. Laws that are
created by the government are called “Statute Law”.
Regulation: Regulation/s are rules set by the government/an authoritative figure. For
example, when you see/hear the word regulatory, it is meaning a rule put in place you
must obey.
2. What is common law? Describe an advantage of the common law
system.
Common Law is law based on precedent. Common Law was developed by judges in
the royal court, and since it is based on precedent, it is uniquely based on past
decisions, therefore cannot be found in any code or legislation. An advantage of
common law is that since society is evolving and things/crimes change, over time
judges will make different decisions in cases, so common law is always evolving over
time. I think this is a very fair law system that we have because it changes with society.
3. Explain your understanding of the two (2) meanings of “civil law.”
The two meanings of civil law are that first, one meaning of it is that people often refer to
civil law in contrast to common law, that civil law is based on a civil code (Justinian
Code or the Civil Code of Quebec). When another meaning people often refer to it as, is
a private law, but specifically criminal law, In contrast to public law.
4. Describe the process through which a bill becomes a law.
There is a first reading in the House of Commons where the bill gets introduced and
they take votes, then a second reading in the House of Commons where they go over it
1. Define the following words: precedent, bijural, federation, statute,
regulation.
Precedent: A past/earlier event/case that is used as an example/guide in similar
events/cases, used in comparison. Judges will make similar decisions for similar cases.
Bijural: bi:two: Meaning that a state/country coexists with two legal traditions. Canada
uses common and civil law, Canada is bijural. Uses two types of law.
Federation: An organization/group that has some extent of autonomy, but still is in
relations with the government. AKA; association, alliances. Smaller groups/divisions all
together.
Statue: A law that is passed by a legislative branch of the government. Laws that are
created by the government are called “Statute Law”.
Regulation: Regulation/s are rules set by the government/an authoritative figure. For
example, when you see/hear the word regulatory, it is meaning a rule put in place you
must obey.
2. What is common law? Describe an advantage of the common law
system.
Common Law is law based on precedent. Common Law was developed by judges in
the royal court, and since it is based on precedent, it is uniquely based on past
decisions, therefore cannot be found in any code or legislation. An advantage of
common law is that since society is evolving and things/crimes change, over time
judges will make different decisions in cases, so common law is always evolving over
time. I think this is a very fair law system that we have because it changes with society.
3. Explain your understanding of the two (2) meanings of “civil law.”
The two meanings of civil law are that first, one meaning of it is that people often refer to
civil law in contrast to common law, that civil law is based on a civil code (Justinian
Code or the Civil Code of Quebec). When another meaning people often refer to it as, is
a private law, but specifically criminal law, In contrast to public law.
4. Describe the process through which a bill becomes a law.
There is a first reading in the House of Commons where the bill gets introduced and
they take votes, then a second reading in the House of Commons where they go over it
