1.
Acts of Parliament: Laws that have been passed by Parliament and given Royal Assent (Law)
2.
affidavit: A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, usually used as evidence in a court (Law)
3.
amendments: Changes to a Bill or proposed law (Law)
4.
anarchy: A state of lawlessness (Law)
5.
arrest: To detain someone with the aim of possible charging them later with an offence or crime (Law)
6.
bail: Money given to guarantee a person released from custody will appear in court when required (Law)
7.
barrister: A person who pleads a case in court (and has been admitted to the Bar), either representing the defendant in civil or criminal cases, the plaintiff in civil cases, or the Crown (the Queen and Government) in criminal cases. (Law)
8.
Bill: A proposal for a new law in Parliament (Law)
9.
brief: The details of an impending court case (Law)
10.
charge: An accusation of guilt, likely to end in a court appearance (Law)
11.
common law: Laws made by the decisions of the courts, based on precedent (Law)
12.
constitution: The set of rules by which an organisation is run (Law)
13.
Contempt of Court: Disrespect for the court and the judge's direction or a subpoena (Law)
14.
corporal punishment: Physical punishment (Law)
15.
court orders: Detailed statements concerning property, maintenance and custody rights resulting from a relationship breakdown (Law)
16.
customs: Habits or usual ways of acting (Law)
17.
damages: Compensation for injury, loss or tort (Law)
18.
de facto relationshp: A relationship in fact, but where the people are not married (Law)
19.
de jure relationship: A relationship in law, where the people are legally married (Law)
20.
default summons: A document issued by a court which requires that person to attend court at a particular time (Law)
21.
defendant: A person against whom a criminal charge or a civil case is being made (Law)
22.
District Court: The State court which hears and decides civil matters on appeal from the local court, and civil cases including claims of up to $750,000. This court hears most indictable criminal offences, with the exception of murder and treason. The court is headed by a judge, and can include a jury of 12 members in criminal non-guilty pleas or 6 members in civil non-guilty pleas. (Law)
23.
electorate: Collectively, the people entitled to vote, grouped by districts, divisions or wards (Law)
24.
equity: The quality of fairness for all (Law)
25.
ethics: Rules of conduct that may be judged as good or bad (Law)
26.
Family Court: The national court that hears and decides cases under the Family Law Act. (Law)
27.
Federal Court: The national court that hears and decides industrial cases and matters by interpreting statute law (such as the Trades Practices Act) but also relevant common law. (Law)
28.
good behaviour bond: A financial incentive not to commit another offence within a certain period after being convicted of an offence (Law)
29.
High Court: The ultimate court nationally which finally decides the last appeal available to defendants in civil or criminal cases. This court also interprets the Australian Constitution. Appeal to this court replaced appeal to the Privy Council in 1986 with the passing of the Australia Acts. (Law)
30.
in camera: A closed court, not open to the public (Law)
31.
laws: A set of rules that are officially recognised by the state (Law)
32.
legislation: A law or a set of laws (Law)
33.
legislature: A law-making body, such as a parliament or congress (Law)
34.
liability: A duty, obligation or responsibility, as applied to the law (Law)
35.
Local Court: The State court that hears and decides various 'minor' civil and family law cases as well as committal proceedings. This court can hear civil cases with claims of up to $60,000 or small claims cases with claims of up to $10,000. It hears applications or Apprehended Violence Orders and also includes the Children's Court and Coroner's Court. The court is headed by a magistrate, but no jury. (Law)
36.
Mabo v Queensland: A landmark case in the High Court of New South Wales that significantly changed the way in which Aboriginal land would be regarded by law. (Law)
37.
mandatory sentencing: Statute laws that set out sentences judges must impose for certain offences (Law)
38.
morals: Conventions relating to proper conducts (Law)
39.
parliament: A body of elected representatives of the country or the state (Law)
40.
parole: Freeing someone from prison on condition of good behaviour (Law)
41.
plaintiff: A person who brings an action in a civil case (Law)
42.
precedent: A legal decision serving as a guide to future related court rulings (Law)
43.
prenuptial agreement: A written agreement between two people about property rights prior to marriage (Law)
44.
recidivism: Repeated or habitual breaking of the law (Law)
45.
referendum: A vote by the people on a question put to them, specifically in Australia, an amendment to the Constitution (Law)
46.
Royal Assent: Official signing by the Head of State (the Queen of Australia) or her representative, the Governor (of a State) or the Governor-General (of the Commonwealth) to make the Bill and Act of Parliament and so become law (Law)
47.
rules: Regulations, based on principles, which govern conduct (Law)
48.
sanction: A legal penalty for disobedience or a wrong-doing (Law)
49.
Scales of Justice: The balance between statute law enacted by Parliament and common law within the justice system (Law)
50.
search warrant: An official document that allows the police to enter and search someone's property (Law)
51.
solicitor: A person who deals with the public in legal matters, and provides research and documentation to barristers (Law)
52.
statute law: Collectively the laws made by Parliament (Law)
53.
subpoena: A document summoning a witness to appear in court or face legal charges under Contempt of Court legislation (Law)
54.
Supreme Court: The superior State court which hears and decides any matters on appeal from the district court and the local court. This court hears civil cases where the claim exceeds $750,000 and has unlimited jurisdiction in civil matters. The court also hears the most serious of criminal cases. It is operated in the fashion of the district court but is headed by a Justice. While it is the superior State court, appeals can be made to the High Court of Australia. (Law)
55.
surety: Security against loss or damage (Law)
56.
suspended sentence: A prison sentence that does not have to be served in prison, however if one offence is committed during this time, the court will probably decide that the convicted person be sent to prison.
57.
terra nullius: The concept that existed in Australia from 1788 to 1992 that stated that for all intents and purposes Australia was vacant land and Aboriginal land rights were non-existant (Law)
58.
The House of Representatives: The lower house of the Australian Parliament, derived from the House of Commons in the United Kingdom, comprised of 150 members representing electoral divisions from around the nation (Law)
59.
The Senate: The upper house of the Australian Parliament, derived from the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, comprised of 76 members representing the States and Territories of Australia (Law)
60.
tort: A wrong or an injury done to a person (Law)
61.
truth-in-sentencing: More realistic sentences given for offences in keeping with community expectations (Law)
62.
warrant: A document authorising a police officer to make an arrest, seize property or make a search (Law)
