1. Rules and Laws
What’s the Difference?

2. Learning goal By the end of this lesson: Students should
understand the difference between a rule and a law
explain the Functions of Law
begin to understand the important principles of law and justice

3. RULES
Use the chart below to compare the rules used in three different groups
that you belong to – these could be school, club, team, family, workplace,
community etc.
Give 3 rules for each group and the reasons for that rule to exist.
Group
Rules
Reason
SCHOOL 1. 2. 3.
____________________

4. What are Rules? Rules are guidelines for appropriate behaviour.
Only apply to the participants in the game or members of the organization that people are participating in.
For example, a rule of hockey is no icing. This rule applies only to those playing the game of hockey.
What would happen if a game like hockey were played without rules?
Rules are needed because situations involving more than one person usually require rules to regulate and control them.
Think of your school, or workplace, or home, for example, if there were no rules how would this area of your life change?

5. What are Laws?
A law is a rule needed to govern an action; a rule that is established by government for the members of its society to follow and obey.

6. How are Rules and Laws different?
Ordinary rules are made by institutions, organizations, or schools. We must obey and follow these rules or face the consequences.
Laws are mandatory, rules may be optional.

7. Are all Laws Rules?
Yes.
All laws are rules, but all rules are not necessarily laws. Can you think of a rule and/or law that supports this statement?

8. Rules vs. Laws Quiz Read each of the following statements.
Is it a rule or a law?

9. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
1. You don't go to school on Labour Day. Answer: Law Explanation: Labour Day is a statutory holiday. The purpose of a statutory holiday is provide workers with a day off without being financially penalized.

10. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
2. When driving your car, you STOP at a red light. Answer: Law Explanation: This law applies to all citizens, and if caught by an officer of the law you will be punished.

11. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
3. You and your friends always sit at the same table in the cafeteria. Answer: Rule Explanation: This is not enforceable and only applies to you at your school.

12. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
4. In Ontario every child must go to school until they are 18 or obtain a diploma. Answer: Law Explanation: This applies to all citizens. See the Education Act for more information.

13. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
5. In elementary school students walk down the hallways in a single file line. Answer: Rule Explanation: This rule only applies to this particular elementary school. Once these students leave school, they are not required to walk in a single file line.

14. Law: It’s Everywhere! Law is all around us
Most people have had direct contact with the law or knows someone who has
Because laws are all around us, and affect everyone, it’s vital that we know our rights.
Canada has so many laws, and they are constantly changing
Why do laws change? Because they are intended to reflect our society’s current values and beliefs.

15. What are the functions of law?
1.Helps to avoid or settle disputes
Example: In 2008, lawsuits were brought against Maple Leaf Foods by the families of victims of listeria (tainted meat).

16. 2. Clearly states rights and obligations of citizens and their government
Examples:
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Criminal Code

17. 3. Provides remedies (solutions, compensation)
In the Maple Leaf Foods lawsuits out of court settlements totalling $ 27 million were reached to compensate the victims and their families

18. 4. Sets up the structure of government
Example:
Constitutional Law clearly outlines areas of law making power for various levels of government

19. 5. Maintains order and provides protection
Examples:
Laws are enforced by police in order to deter behaviour deemed unacceptable by society

20. 6. Directs how to make laws
Example: Constitutional Law outlines legal procedure for introducing ideas for law and for passing them.

21. AN IMPORTANT LEGAL PRINCIPLE- Rule of Law:
Three-part principle of justice
1. Individuals recognize laws are necessary to regulate society; to maintain order
2. Law applies equally to everyone, including heads of state, police, and politicians
3. No one can exercise unrestricted power to take away rights except in accordance with the law

22. Law and Morality:
Some laws are purely practical and indisputably make sense (ex. property rights, traffic). Other laws reflect the values of the majority of society (ex. euthanasia, child pornography, spanking)
Anytime that laws reflect moral values and beliefs, there will be controversy
Examples?

23. Law and Justice: JUSTICE is NOT “JUST US” What is justice?
What is a just society?
Should everyone be treated the same?
Characteristics of Justice
Treat like cases alike & different cases differently
People who have medical conditions
A law is unjust if it discriminates using irrelevant characteristics
We restrict access to movies on the basis of age and not hair colour
Law should be impartial and applied to everyone, regardless of a person’s position or financial status
Laws should conform to society’s morals and beliefs (marijuana)
JUSTICE is NOT “JUST US”