Lesson01 canadian law
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Transcript of Lesson01 canadian law
Canadian Law: an Introduction
Week One: Lecture and notes to supplement your textbook
Goals of this lecture
•To descr ibe why i t is important to study the Canadian Legal System
•To review the role of law and the theor ies of law from Chapter One of the textbook
•To defi ne the important ideas and terms in the Canadian legal system
•To descr ibe the branches of government
Goals of this lecture
• Why study the Canadian Legal System?
• Review the role of law and the theories of law
• Defi ne important ideas and terms of the Canadian legal system
• Describe the branches of government
Why study the Canadian Legal System?
• Legal System based on British tradition
• All aspects of our lives are regulated by law
• Important role in our diverse society
Why is law so important in Canada?
• Because Canada is such a diverse nation with peoples from many cultures, the law and the rule of law is the glue that binds our cultural mosaic together.
• Other countries have stronger uniform cultures and the norms and folkways of their countries guide their citizens.
• Canada has diverse cultures and we need law for stability and guidance
What is law?
What is law?
James (p.5) defines law as:
“a set of rules which are generally obeyed and enforced within a politically organized society”
• Imposed by the ‘sovereign’• Aim of the law is a better civilization
What are traditional theories of law?
Theories of law
• Positivism• Natural legal theory• Realism• Critical theories
What is Positivism?
Positivism• Validly enacted law (posited law by the sovereign) should be followed• Looks at the form and structure of the law, not the moral or social content• A positivist asks what the law is, not what the law should be. The law is the law.• Helps keep society stable, law is predictable and consistently applied
What is Natural Legal Theory?
Natural Legal Theory
• Naturalist believes in a higher system to which mere positive law should conform• Positive/ man made law must conform to natural order or law• Morality and the law must combine• Tradition based on religious ideas and Greek ‘objective morality’• The basis of civil rights• Helpful in environmental law, changing times
What is Realism?
Realism• We must look beyond the law and take into account ‘extra-legal’ factors such as public opinion, circumstances, changing times• Law must be viewed in the context of society• Looks beyond the facts in evidence and cold legal rules
What are Critical Legal Theories?
Critical Legal Theories
Examples:•Marxist theory is based on economic equality.•Feminists believe the legal system is peopled mostly by males and favors their interests.•Critical legal theory is the idea that the law is dysfunctional and limited. Challenges the very basis of the legal system and process.
Critical Legal Theories
•Marxist Theory
•Radical Feminists
•Critical Legal Theory
What are some main ideas and terms in the Canadian
system?
Main ideas
Constitutional monarchyDemocracy
Federal StateParliamentary supremacyResponsible government
Rule of Law
What is the Rule of Law?
Rule of Law
Fundamental principle of democracy.
No one is above the law.
All people are equal before and under the law.
Rule of Law
Law must be:GeneralPublic
ProspectiveClear
ConsistentCapable of being followed
StableEnforced
What are the main branches of Government?
Government
Separation of Powers:• Judicial• Legislative• Executive
Unitary court systemAdministrative tribunals
What is the Consensus View?
Consensus View
The view that our laws are made by consensus. We democratically elect our government who makes our laws for the benefit of all. For the most part, the public agrees with the law.Eg. Murder.
What is the Conflict view?
Conflict View
The view that the rich and powerful in society make the laws for their
vested interests and their benefits, to the detriment of the poor and
underclass.
Eg. Treat men of “white collar’