1. Categories of Law

2. Categories of Law
The broadest categories of law are International Law and Domestic Law

3. International Law
Laws that govern the conduct of independent nations in their relationship with one another
There isn’t one global, law-making authority however there are international organization that can help settle international disputes. For instance, the UN set up the International Court of Justice

4. Domestic Law
Law made and enforced within a nations borders

5. Divisions of Domestic Law
Domestic Law is divided into substantive and procedural law

6. Substantive law
Law that defines the rights, duties, and obligations of citizens and government.
Your conduct is governed by substantive law
Is the content of the law
Examples include right to own and protect property, entering into contracts, and the rules of the road

7. Procedural Law
Law that prescribes the methods of enforcing the rights and obligations of substantive law
Ensures that all citizens are treated fairly
Ensures that neither the police or courts act arbitrarily
Examples include proper procedures to gather evidence, requirements for lawful arrest, and trial procedures

8. Divisions of Substantive Law
Substantive Law is divided into Public and Private law

9. Substantive Law Divisions
PUBLIC
PRIVATE
Regulates the relationship between government and its citizens
Subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
More commonly known as Civil Law
Deals with legal relationships between individuals and organizations
Regulate conduct and compensate individuals who have been harmed by wrongful actions

10. Public law: Three Types:
CRIMINAL
•Most exciting!
•Prohibits and punishes behaviour that causes harm to others such as murder, robbery or assault
•All crimes are described in the Criminal Code of Canada and related to federal statutes
ADMINISTRATIVE
Administrative Law – Law related to the relationship between people and government departments, boards, and agencies
Examples:  Liquor Control, Worker’s Compensation, Social Assistance, and Health and Safety
CONSTITUTIONAL
Body of law dealing with the distribution and exercise of government powers
Overrides all other laws
Limits the powers of government
Divides power between the federal government and the provinces
Courts interpret these laws to ensure all others are ‘constitutional’

11. PRIVATE LAW: 6 Types TORT LAW CONTRACT LAW FAMILY LAW
WILLS AND ESTATES
PROPERTY LAW
EMPLOYMENT LAW

12. Tort Law
Branch of civil law that holds persons or private organizations responsible for damage they cause another person as a result of an accident or deliberate action
Onus is on the plaintiff to prove that the defendants actions caused the damage

13. Contract & Family Law
Contract Law – Branch of civil law that provides rules regarding agreements between people and businesses
Family Law – Deals with various aspects of family life including marriage, property division upon separation, and child custody

14. Estate & Property Law
Wills and Estates (Estate Law) – Deals with the division of property after death including if a person dies without having a will
Property Law – Governs ownership rights in property including the buying and selling of real estate

15. Employment Law
Employment Law – Governs employer / employee relations including minimum age a person can work, restrict the number of hour required to work, and specify minimum wages

16. The Big Picture
Categories of Law

17. A skier steals your snowboard
Scenario 1
A skier steals your snowboard
(criminal law)

18. Scenario 2
A parent pays you less for babysitting than the agreed-upon hourly rate
(employment law)

19. Your parents buy a cottage and register a deed
Scenario 3
Your parents buy a cottage and register a deed
(Contract Law)

20. Your wages are below minimum specified by the provincial law
Scenario 4
Your wages are below minimum specified by the provincial law
(Employment Law)

21. You are arrested for drinking under age
Scenario 5
You are arrested for drinking under age
(Criminal Law)

22. Although you are underage, you want to get married
Scenario 6
Although you are underage, you want to get married
(family law)

23. Scenario 7
Your grandmother had promised you her engagement ring, but she failed to prepare a will before she died
(estate law)

24. Scenario 8
You purchased a DVD player that stopped working after one month (Contract law)

25. Scenario 9
As a student, you feel you should not have to pay income tax
(administrative law and constitutional Law)

26. Scenario 10
At a noisy party, the police arrest you and refuse to tell you why
(criminal law & constitutional law)

27. (property law and criminal law)
Scenario 11
Even though you see the “No Trespassing” sign, you hop the fence for a swim in a privately owned pool
(property law and criminal law)