1. Rules and Laws
An introduction

2. Learning Intention Success Criteria Introduction to 3-4 Legal Studies
Understand the difference between rules and laws
Define types of laws
Explain why we need laws

3. Rules and Laws Rules Laws Apply to certain groups in society
Establish rights and responsibilities
Help reduce conflict in the group
Laws
Apply to all
Made by parliament and the courts
Are enforceable by courts and tribunals

4. Types of Laws Criminal Law Civil Law Statute Law Common Law
Concerned with behaviour that affects not only the individuals directly involved, but the welfare of society as a whole.
Civil Law
Concerned with the enforcement of an individual’s rights
Statute Law
Law made through Parliament
Common Law
Law made in the court (Judge-made law)

5. Criminal Cases
Usually between the state and an individual or individuals
involve actions that are against the law, harmful to society and punishable by the law.
Examples of offences covered under criminal law include murder, theft and fraud.

7. Parties to a Criminal Case
Prosecution
Acting on behalf of the state to prosecute in the case
Accused 
the person accused of the crime
Victim 
who has been offended against.

8. Criminal Cases
Indictable Offences
Summary Offences

9. Indictable Offences
Serious criminal offences that are heard before a judge and jury in superior courts such as the County Court or Supreme Court
Eg. homicide and fraud.
As a general rule, offences listed in the Crimes Act 1958(Vic.) and the Wrongs Act 1958(Vic.) are indictable offences unless these Acts state that an offence is a summary offence.

10. Summary Offences
Minor criminal offences that are heard before a magistrate in the Magistrates’ Court
Eg. offensive behaviour.
Many summary offences are breaches of local laws or laws made by subordinate authorities
Offences listed in most Acts of parliament are summary offences unless an Act declares them to be indictable offences.

11. Civil Disputes Disputes between two or more individuals or groups.
Civil actions usually involve the infringement of rights.
The aim of a civil action is to return the party whose rights have been infringed to his or her original position (as far as possible). 
The most common types of civil actions are:
Torts concered with the wrongful actions of one individual towards another.
contract law involves a dispute about a legally binding agreement between two or more parties.

13. Parties to civil disputes
Plaintiff (party who has been harmed)
sues the 
Defendant (party who has allegedly caused the harm)
The plaintiff seeks a particular remedy. 

14. Why do we need laws? Establishing expected behaviour
Resolving disputes
Reflecting values