What is a law?

Wimble Don

4 Jan 201801:02

Summary

TLDRThis Wimbledon Channel video simplifies the concept of law, defining it as a rule made by authorized individuals. In Australia, elected representatives in Parliament create and vote on laws known as statutes. When existing statutes don't apply, judges' decisions set legal precedents, forming common law. The video aims to clarify the nature of law and invites viewers to explore more such informative content.

Takeaways

📚 A law is defined as a rule made by someone with the authority to make laws.
🗳️ In Australia, people are elected to represent citizens in Parliament where they create and vote on laws.
🏛️ The laws passed by Parliament are referred to as statute laws.
👨‍⚖️ Judges play a crucial role in shaping law when statute laws are not applicable to a case.
📜 Precedent is a legal principle where a judge's decision becomes the law, guiding future similar cases.
🎥 The video is part of the Wimbledon Channel's educational series on law.
🤔 The script encourages viewers to ponder the nature and function of law in society.
📈 The video aims to simplify complex legal concepts for a broader audience.
🔄 The process of law creation involves both legislative bodies and the judiciary.
🌐 The concept of law varies by jurisdiction, with the video focusing on the Australian context.
👥 The video is designed to engage viewers and prompt further interest in legal studies.

Q & A

What is the definition of law according to the video?
-A law is a rule made by someone with the authority to make laws.
Who are the people with authority to make laws in Australia?
-In Australia, people are elected to represent citizens in Parliament, where they have the authority to make laws.
What is the term for laws that are introduced and voted on in Parliament?
-Laws that are introduced and voted on in Parliament are called statute laws.
What happens when statute law doesn't apply to a case a judge is hearing?
-When statute law doesn't apply, the judge's decision becomes the law through a principle known as precedent.
What is the term for a judge's decision that sets a legal precedent?
-A judge's decision that sets a legal precedent is called common law.
How does the video aim to help viewers?
-The video aims to help viewers by answering the question 'What is a law?' and providing a simple definition.
What is the role of elected representatives in the law-making process?
-Elected representatives play a role in the law-making process by introducing and voting on laws in Parliament on behalf of the people they represent.
Why is the concept of precedent important in the legal system?
-The concept of precedent is important because it provides a consistent framework for future legal decisions based on previous court rulings.
How does the video suggest viewers can learn more about the law?
-The video suggests viewers can learn more about the law by tuning in for more videos like this on the Wimbledon Channel.
What is the purpose of the Wimbledon Channel videos?
-The purpose of the Wimbledon Channel videos is to educate and inform viewers about various aspects of the law.
What is the significance of the music in the video?
-The music in the video serves as an engaging element to capture the viewer's attention and make the educational content more enjoyable.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding the Concept of Law

This paragraph introduces the concept of law in a simplified manner. It explains that a law is a rule created by individuals with the authority to do so. In Australia, these individuals are elected representatives in Parliament who introduce and vote on laws, known as statutes. The paragraph also touches on the concept of common law, where if no statute applies to a case, the judge's decision sets a precedent and becomes the law.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Law

Law, as mentioned in the video, is a rule made by someone with the authority to make laws. It is a fundamental concept in the video's theme, which is to explain what constitutes a law. The video script uses the term to set the stage for discussing how laws are created and applied. It is the central concept around which the entire video revolves.

💡Authority

Authority in the context of the video refers to the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. The video emphasizes that laws are made by individuals or bodies with the necessary authority, such as those elected to represent the people in Parliament. This keyword is crucial in understanding the legitimacy behind the creation of laws.

💡Parliament

Parliament is the legislative body in a democratic country where elected representatives gather to make laws. In the video, it is mentioned as the place where laws are introduced and voted on, representing the will of the people. This keyword is essential to understanding the democratic process of law-making.

💡Statute

A statute, as defined in the video, is a law that is enacted by a legislative body, such as Parliament. The term is used to differentiate between laws that are written and passed by a legislative authority and those that are established through judicial decisions. It is a key term in understanding the source of law.

💡Judge

A judge, in the context of the video, is a public official appointed to hear and decide cases in a court of law. The video mentions judges in relation to their role in creating law through their decisions, particularly when statute law does not apply. This keyword is important for understanding the judicial aspect of law-making.

💡Case

A case, as used in the video, refers to a legal matter that is brought before a court for a decision. The video discusses how judges' decisions on cases can become law, especially when there is no applicable statute. This keyword helps to illustrate the practical application of law in real-life situations.

💡Precedent

Precedent, in the video, refers to a principle or rule established in a previous legal case that is either binding or persuasive in a court's decision on a subsequent case with similar issues. It is a key concept in understanding how judges can contribute to the body of law through their decisions, which can set a precedent for future cases.

💡Common Law

Common law, as mentioned in the video, is a body of law derived from judicial decisions of courts and similar tribunals, as distinguished from constitutional law and statutory law. The video explains that common law is formed when a judge's decision becomes the law through the principle of precedent. This keyword is crucial for understanding an alternative source of law besides statutes.

💡Elected Representatives

Elected representatives, as discussed in the video, are individuals chosen by the public to speak and vote on their behalf in a legislative body, such as Parliament. The video uses this term to highlight the democratic process by which laws are made, emphasizing the role of the people in the law-making process.

💡Vote

A vote, in the context of the video, is the formal expression of an opinion or choice, especially in a formal meeting or an election. The video mentions voting as part of the law-making process in Parliament, where elected representatives vote on proposed laws. This keyword is important for understanding the decision-making process in legislative bodies.

💡Wimbledon Channel

Wimbledon Channel, as referenced in the video, is the presumed name of the channel or platform producing the video. It is not a legal term but is mentioned to provide context about the source of the information. This keyword helps to situate the video within a specific media outlet, which may have a series of videos on law and related topics.

Highlights

A law is defined as a rule made by someone with the authority to make laws.

In Australia, laws are made by elected representatives in Parliament.

Laws made by Parliament are called statute laws.

Judges can create law through precedent when statute law is not applicable.

Law created by judges is known as common law.

The video aims to clarify the concept of law for viewers.

The video is part of a series on the Wimbledon Channel.

The video provides a simple definition of law to aid understanding.

The role of elected officials in law creation is explained.

The distinction between statute and common law is highlighted.

The importance of precedent in the legal system is discussed.

The video encourages viewers to watch more educational content.

The video is designed to be informative and engaging.

The Wimbledon Channel offers more videos on legal topics.

The video's content is intended to be accessible to a wide audience.

The video concludes with a call to action for more content.