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Basic Legal Concepts and Terminology

This document provides definitions for basic legal terminology: 1. A tribunal is a body appointed to make judgments or inquiries. 2. The judiciary refers to a country's body of judges. 3. Legislation refers to acts passed by a law-making body. 4. Laws and legal systems can be seen as a type of social rule meant to govern behavior between people, similar to rules in families and organizations. Modern societies use laws made by bodies with authority, like courts or legislatures, and enforced by law enforcement agencies, to govern society and control members' behavior. Legal systems require lawyers and judges to apply the law.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
211 views2 pages

Basic Legal Concepts and Terminology

This document provides definitions for basic legal terminology: 1. A tribunal is a body appointed to make judgments or inquiries. 2. The judiciary refers to a country's body of judges. 3. Legislation refers to acts passed by a law-making body. 4. Laws and legal systems can be seen as a type of social rule meant to govern behavior between people, similar to rules in families and organizations. Modern societies use laws made by bodies with authority, like courts or legislatures, and enforced by law enforcement agencies, to govern society and control members' behavior. Legal systems require lawyers and judges to apply the law.
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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  • Introduction to Law: Basic Concepts

Introduction to law: basic concepts 1

The following terms introduce you to the law and basic legal terminology. Below are
the definitions. Find the definition for each term.

authority court govern judge


law enforcement agency lawyers legal action legal system
legislation rule the judiciary tribunal

1. a body that is appointed to make a judgment or inquiry ________tribunal______

2. a country’s body of judges ______________________________________________

3. an act or acts passed by a law-making body ________________________________

4. behaviour recognized by a community as binding or enforceable by authority

_______________________________________________________________________

5. legal proceedings _____________________________________________________

6. an official body that has authority to try criminals, resolve disputes, or make other

legal decisions ________________________________________________________

7. an organization responsible for enforcing the law, especially the police

_______________________________________________________________________

8. a senior official in a court of law __________________________________________

9. the body or system of rules recognized by a community that are enforceable by

established process ____________________________________________________

10. the control resulting from following a community’s system of rules

_______________________________________________________________________

11. members of the legal profession __________________________________________

12. to rule a society and control the behaviour of its members ____________________

Lawyer is a wide term which refers to all professionals working in the legal
profession; it does not refer to a specific job.

1
Introduction to law: basic concepts 2

Complete the following text about basic legal concepts using the following words and
phrases. Use each term once.

authority court govern judges


law enforcement agency lawyers legal action legal systems
legislation rule the judiciary tribunal

Why do we have laws and legal systems ? At one level, laws can be seen as a type of
________________________ which is meant to ________________________ behaviour
between people. We can find these rules in nearly all social organizations, such as families
and sports clubs.

Law, the body of official rules and regulations, generally found in constitutions and
________________________ , is used to govern a society and to control the behaviour of its
members. In modern societies, a body with ________________________ , such as a
________________________ or the legislature, makes the law; and a
________________________ , such as the police makes sure it is observed.

In addition to enforcement, a body of expert ________________________ is needed to


apply the law. This is the role of ________________________ , the body of
________________________ in a particular country. Of course, legal systems vary between
countries, as well as the basis for bringing a case before a court or
________________________ . One thing, however, seems to be true all over the world –
starting a ________________________ is both expensive and time-consuming.

Nouns un English can be divided unto countable and uncountable. Countable


nouns have a singular and a plural form; uncountable nouns have only one form. Law is
a countable noun; legislation is an uncountable noun.

Common questions

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A tribunal is a body appointed to make a judgment or inquiry, typically specialized in certain areas, while a court is an official body with broader authority to try criminals, resolve disputes, or make legal decisions . Tribunals often offer a more informal and efficient means of resolving disputes compared to courts which follow more structured procedures. Both are part of the judiciary but serve different functions within the legal system's framework .

Implementing a new legal system poses challenges like ensuring comprehensive legislation that reflects societal needs and values . Additionally, establishing an effective judiciary and law enforcement infrastructure requires significant investment in training, resources, and public acceptance. Integrating culturally specific norms within the global legal framework without compromising justice also represents a crucial challenge . These factors contribute to the complexity of establishing a new functional legal system.

The law defines binding behavior through structures such as constitutions and legal statutes that articulate enforceable rules and obligations . These laws are crafted by legislatures, enforced by agencies, and interpreted by the judiciary, ensuring their consistent application across society . Binding behavior is recognized through the legal framework that addresses infringement through legal actions, backed by the authority of courts and tribunals which offer mechanisms for dispute resolution .

Laws and legal systems are crucial in governing society as they function to control behavior and resolve disputes. Laws are defined as binding or enforceable rules recognized by a community, typically found in constitutions and legislation . A legal system includes the judiciary, a body of judges who apply the law, while courts and tribunals are official bodies that resolve disputes or make legal decisions . Law enforcement agencies, such as the police, ensure laws are observed . Together, these components maintain order and justice by providing a framework for legal action to address conflicts, supported by lawyers and legal professionals .

Authority is integral as it empowers legal institutions such as courts and tribunals to make judgments and enforce laws . Without authority, laws would lack the power to bind behavior or resolve disputes effectively. Legal systems rely on the authority of law-making bodies to create legislation and on enforcement agencies, like the police, to ensure compliance, thus maintaining social order .

Legal proceedings are often expensive and time-consuming because they involve multiple stages, including filing motions, discovery, trial, and possibly appeals. Each step requires significant time and resources, often involving multiple legal professionals like lawyers who represent parties, judges who oversee the proceedings, and administrative staff . Additionally, complexities of laws and the formalities of court procedures can lengthen the process, thereby driving up costs .

Lawyers, representing a broad category of legal professionals, play a vital role in advising and representing clients within the legal system . They interact with the judiciary by advocating in court, preparing legal documents, and interpreting laws. Lawyers may also engage with law enforcement to gather evidence or negotiate settlements . Their role is fundamental in bridging the gap between the public and the legal framework, ensuring clients' rights and obligations are upheld within the system's structure.

The judiciary, comprising a country's judges, plays a critical role in interpreting and applying laws within society . These bodies of expert judges are necessary for ensuring that laws are properly understood and enforced, resolving disputes through courts and tribunals. By making legal decisions and judgments, they help maintain a consistent and fair application of the law, thus upholding justice .

Legislation refers to acts passed by a law-making body and constitutes the body of rules and regulations used to govern society . Law enforcement agencies, such as the police, are responsible for ensuring these laws are obeyed and are primarily concerned with enforcement rather than creation . Thus, legislation is concerned with the drafting and passing of laws, while law enforcement ensures compliance with those laws.

Rules in social organizations govern behavior within specific contexts such as families or clubs, establishing expectations and facilitating order . They differ from laws, which are formalized rules enforced by authority within a legal framework. Laws have a broader societal application and provide binding legal obligations, while rules are more localized and lack legal enforceability unless they align with broader legal statutes .

Introduction to law: basic concepts  1
The following terms introduce you to the law and basic legal terminology. Below are
th
Introduction to law: basic concepts  2
Complete the following text about basic legal concepts using the following words and
p

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