TYPES OF LAWPUBLIC LAW-Deals with the relationship between government and individuals

PRIVATE LAW (AKA CIVIL LAW)-deals with the interests of private individuals

PUBLIC LAW

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (public)

Are the basic laws of nation statesIn Canada, are the laws that set out the

structure of the federal, provincial and territorial governments and the division of powers among them

Constitutions are the framework for government and may limit or define authority.

Example: Constitution Act, 1982-outlines our most basic laws.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (public)

Controls the relationship between citizens and government agencies.

Examples: Provincial Workers Compensation Board and Liquor Control Board

CRIMINAL LAW (public)

Rules passed by parliament that define ‘crimes’ that are considered to be offences against society e.g. Murder, kidnapping, etc..

Is found in the Criminal Code (acts and their punishments are described)

Goal is to punish offenders and protect society and its membersExample of punishment: Loss of liberty (jail) or government supervision (Probation)

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (public)

Deals with a complex system of law that works to protect the natural environment.

Some environmental law regulates the impacts of human activities.

Example: allowable levels of pollution in water

TAX & ABORIGINAL LAW (public)

TAX LAW-is a codified system concerning the levies on economic transactions (taxes)

ABORIGINAL LAW-deals with a comprehensive series of acts and regulations concerning natives in Canada.

PRIVATE LAW

COMMERCIAL LAW (private)

Governs business and regulates corporate contracts such as hiring and the sale of goods and services.

CONTRACT LAW (private)

Regulates the enforcement of contractsMost important feature of a contract is that

one party makes an offer for a bargain that another party accepts.

BREACH OF CONTRACT-if someone does not fulfill the terms of a contract (injured party can take legal action)

CONTRACT=A legally binding exchange of promises or agreement between parties that the law will enforce.

LABOUR LAW (private)

Governs the relationship between employers and employees

Defines your rights and obligations as workers, union members and employers in the workplace.

Examples: employment standards (min. wage, vacation time, pay equity, etc...)

FAMILY LAW (private)

Deals with family-related issues and domestic relations (people living together)

Examples: divorce, spousal abuse, custody, adoption, child abuse, child abduction, etc...)

This area of law is constantly changing.

PROPERTY LAW (private)

Is a set of legal rules that controls the use, enjoyment and rental of real property (land) and personal property.

Includes everything from copyright or patents (for ideas) to jewelry, clothes and buildings.

Example: Tenant Protection Act-become familiar with it if you are living away from home for university/college.

Property = anything that has cash value

TORT (private)

Defines wrongs by one person or a group against another (it is a civil wrong and can be a criminal wrong)

Gives remedies to those who have been injured by the intentional or negligent action of others.

Examples: -car accident injury because of another’s

negligent or criminal behaviour-Defamation-tarnishing someone’s reputation

ESTATE LAW (private)

Deals with wills and estatesDeals with how an individual’s property is

distributed after death.This area of law deals with wills that

clearly layout an individual’s wishes.