UNIT 1 LEGAL THEORIES AND CONCEPTS

NEED FOR LAW Read the Island ScenarioIsland Scenario Answer the following: 1)Who will be our leader? Why? 2)What are the first five things we need to do? (what order?) 3)How will decisions be made? 4)What are 5 basic rules? How will these rules be enforced? 5)What will be done to those who do not obey?

WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG? ▪Right and wrong is what we as a group, culture, nation, or civilization decide they are. The law is constructed based on what society views as right or wrong.

RULE OF LAW  Rule of Law is the belief that it is better to be ruled by laws than to be ruled by leaders who act the way they like.  For example, if a king, queen or dictator rules us, it is simply a person exercising power without guidelines. If the law rules, leaders cannot use their power any way they like; they must apply the laws or guidelines to everyone, including themselves.  The law should apply to everyone. No one should be exempt from the law because of power.

WHAT IS LAW? ▪Law is a legal concept, a legal system, a set of rules ▪Law may be interpreted as the ultimate legal concept which is associated with ▸ Justice ▸ Equality ▸ Morality

▪Law as a legal system ▸ Law comprises a network of agencies, institutions, and procedures developed to perform a specific function (e.g. police, courts, or jail)

▪Law as a set of rules enacted by governing authority ▸ These rules prescribe our rights and obligations ▸ Eg. Young Offenders Act, Narcotic Control Act are acts which have functions and objectives.