CUSTOMS, RULES AND LAW

Customs• Established patterns of behaviour amoung people in

society or group.• Customs vary depending on culture, religion and history.• Customary Law – Customs may become apart of law of

that society, but not all. • Three areas of Customary Law that has influenced the

Australian Legal system are:• Aborigional and Torres Strait Islander customary law• English customary law• International customary law

• Most customary law is never written down.

Customs• TASK:

• Make a list of unique customs from your own country. • State whether these customs are reflected in you home countries

laws

Rules• Prescribed directions for conduct in certain situations.• Made to only affect certain groups of society.• Rules are easily altered to adapt to changing situations.

Rules• TASK

• Complete a set of rules for the following three examples:• Household Rules• School Rules• Social Etiquette

Laws• Look after all members of society, therefore are fair, just and

eqitable• Expected to reflect traditional and current ethics and values• These ‘Legal rules’ decided upon by a group and governs

their behaviour and activities• Prohibit and allow a variety of activities• Failure to comply with these regulations incurs consequence

(penalties), ranging from a fine to imprisonment• In Australia, laws are usually decided upon by elected

government officials at local, state or federal government levels

• Judges also have power to set laws in certain cases when set a precedent

Laws• TASK

• Create a table to compare the differences between rules and laws

Laws Rules

To be obeyed by all citizens of a society

To be obeyed by specific individuals or groups

Made by a law-making body Made by individuals or groups

Enforced through the courts Enforced by leaders of a group

Consequences of a breach results in a prescribed sanction imposed by the courts

Consequences of a breach at the discretion of the leader of a group

Relationship between customs, rules and laws

• TASK• Write a paragraph summarising the previous slides. Describe the

relationship between customs, rules and laws.

VALUES & ETHICS

Individuals values – what we believe to be morally right

Voice values and ethics in a public manner to attempt to influence the legal system

E.g. The Mardi Gras (Sydney) – Started as a protest march against treatment of same-sex couples by the legal system

Mardi Grass (Nimbin, NSW) – attempts to influence government to relax laws relating to the use and cultivation of marijuana

Law – Attempting to incorporate individuals core values and ethics into law making

Glossary of key terms• Create a glossary in your notes using the key terms listed

on page 2 of your text.• Research the definitions and add to your glossary