An Audit of current key knowledge and skills and areas of weakness
Reflection of current knowledge
What level do you believe your knowledge is on the following key areas of knowledge?
Rank it in % terms by colouring in each bar for each key knowledge.
0%
50%
100%
Difference between a Legal and Non-Legal Rule (name some examples)
The need for laws (7 reasons)
Characteristics of an effective law (5 characteristics)
Distinction (differences/comparison) between civil and criminal law (terminology)
Division of law making power between the Commonwealth and state parliaments
The role and characteristics of parliament in law making
The role and characteristics of subordinate authorities in law making
The process of making law in parliament (each stage of making a new law)
The characteristics of an effective law
Key Skills: these are the skills you need to show through demonstrating your knowledge. Can you;
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


Define key legal terms and use them appropriately in sentences when answering questions?
Classify rules as either legal or non- legal?
Using the criteria of an effective law consider the effectiveness of selected laws?
Identify the differences between civil and criminal law and the legal problems each addresses?
Describe the role parliament and subordinate authorities have in making law
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How do I revise?
Consider the following
1. What areas will you need to spend more time revising?
2. What concepts do you not understand and need to seek assistance on?
3. What are the key skills and how does this relate to what I need be able to show?
Complete some or all of the following different revision activities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Read through your own summary revision notes
Read through summary notes end of Chapter in text book
Review task words for answering questions (see bookmark)
Complete the short quick answer questions below
Complete the practice case study review questions on page 34 (consider the tips on page 35)
Complete the exam questions end of Chapter in text book page 37
Create or review a mind map (especially handy night before SAC)
Write up your own questions by considering the key skills and key knowledge (i.e. flash cards,
Revision of content
1.1 Legal and non-legal rules
1. Complete the following sentences by filling in the gaps, choosing between the words laws and rules.
a. ____________ are a legal variation of rules.
b. Individuals and organisation set ____________.
c. ____________ are set during childhood to prepare for living in accordance with ____________.
d. ____________ are a means of keeping society in order.
e. The police and the courts enforce ____________.
f. ____________ carry penalties imposed by the government.
g. The consequences of breaking ____________ are less severe than the consequences of breaking
____________.
h. When you are a child a parent sets ____________ to be followed.
i. When you break ____________, a legal action follows.
2. Identify the differences between legal and non- legal rules in the table below
Non-legal rule
Legal Rule (law)
Who made it?
To whom does it apply
What are the consequences if
broken?
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1.2 The need for laws
1. Fill in the table below to identify, explain and give reasons why we need laws
Identify reason
1
Explanation
Example/s
2
3
4
1.3 Characteristics of an effective law
Fill in the following table to identify, explain and give examples of what laws require to be effective.
Identify the
Explain the characteristic
Examples
characteristic
1
2
3
4
5
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1.4 Distinction between criminal and civil law
Define the following key terms;
Term
Definition
Civil or
criminal
Prosecutor
Plaintiff
Sanction
Beyond
reasonable
doubt
Defendant
Balance of
probabilities
Remedy
1.5 Division of law making power
a) Outline what is meant by a federal system of government (2 marks)
b) How does the Constitution divide law making powers?
(6 marks)
1.6 Federal parliament- characteristics and role in law making
a) Explain the role of the Governor General (2 marks)
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b) Outline the role of each house and its characteristics (4 + 4 marks)
House of Representatives
The Senate
1.7 State parliament- characteristics and role in law making
Describe the characteristics of the upper and lower houses of State Parliament
(3 marks)
What is the role of committees?
(1 mark)
Explain how Parliament is influenced in its decision making?
(3 marks)
1.8 Law making process
Explain any two stages a bill goes through to become a law
(4 marks)
1.9 Subordinal authorities- characteristics and role
Why and to whom does parliament delegate some of its law making powers?
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Fill in the following table
Positives of Delegated Legislation
Negatives of Delegated legislation
You can also complete the Chapter review at the end of your chapter
Also try the crossword below.
Chapter 1 Crossword
1
2
4
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
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Page 7 of 8
Across
2 The ____-General is the member of parliament who can refer areas of law reform to the Victorian Law
Reform Commission for investigation.
4 The British parliamentary system of government upon which Australia’s parliamentary system is based.
6 The ‘branch’ or type of power within our parliamentary system that must maintain its independence.
8 A parliament consisting of two houses or chambers.
9 The body that determines the government’s legislative agenda.
11 The body that holds the judicial power within our parliamentary system.
12 The body that holds the legislative power.
14 Most proposed laws are initiated in this house of parliament.
15 The Legislative ____ reviews and scrutinises Bills passed by the lower house in Victorian Parliament.
16 A parliamentary system where both Commonwealth and state parliaments have legislative power.
18 The premier is a member of this house of parliament. (11,8)
21 The principle of ____ government requires members of parliament to be answerable to the electorate.
22 An informal method used by pressure groups to influence a change in the law.
23 An individual member of parliament who is not aligned with any specific political party.
Down
1 One main role of the lower house of parliament is to determine this body.
3 The Queen’s representative in Commonwealth Parliament. (8,7)
5 The stage in the progress of a Bill through parliament where the broad purpose of the Bill is debated. (6,7)
7 The leader of the government in Commonwealth Parliament. (5,8)
10 Formal approval, given by the Queen's representative, required for a proposed law to become legislation.
(5,6)
12 A specific area of responsibility given to a government minister.
13 Two or more political parties joined together for the purpose of governing.
17 A document containing the signatures of people who support a particular change in the law.
19 The house of Commonwealth Parliament that has the potential to represent the interests of the states.
20 A drafted proposal for a new law.
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