The Elements of Law

Law

Law is the discipline and profession concerned with the enforcement of rules and regulations within a community. These rules must be accepted as binding by the community and enforced by a controlling authority. It is concerned with principles of inner morality, Legal precedents, Generality, and Accessibility of law. These principles are the foundations for a system of law.

Principles of the inner morality of law

There are two schools of thought on the inner morality of law. One claims that laws embody certain moral values; the other rejects this claim. The first argues that the principles of law do not embody moral values themselves but only serve to convey legalistic concerns. The latter view holds that principles of law do possess a moral quality of expressiveness, which depends on contextual factors.

The internal morality of law requires a more nuanced reading of the Constitution. Although Fuller argues that laws should meet certain criteria, he also advocates retroactivity and suggests that retroactivity should be permitted where it serves the purposes of legality. This interpretation of the legal system is revealed in Fuller’s eight principles.

Legal precedents

Legal precedents are decisions that have been rendered by the courts of a country. They are used to guide other similar cases. However, they are not always binding. In some cases, a precedent may be incompatible with the facts of a particular case. In those cases, it is possible to challenge the precedent.

In the US, a precedent is a court decision that is viewed as an authority in similar future cases. These precedents are binding on lower courts. However, a lower court may deviate from precedents if they find the precedent to be outdated or irrelevant. Generally, this occurs only on very rare occasions, when a lower common law court overrules a precedent.

Generality

Generality of law is a legal principle that governs all subjects. It is often equated with legal morality and the ideal of the rule of law. However, the principle of generality is flawed because it cannot be applied uniformly to all people. While people may have the same capacity and endowment, their fundamental interests and rights differ.

The principle of generality of law is a key element in the separation of powers. It helps to draw the line between the interests of citizens and the interests of groups. This principle is used to determine who a law applies to, and how broadly that law can reach. For example, “Everyone has the right to life” is considered a universal law; however, “everyone has the right to liberty” is a national law.

Accessibility

Accessibility laws are designed to make our public places, information resources, and services more accessible to people with disabilities. The Canadian Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination based on a person’s disability. The Ontario Human Rights Commission has a guide to the Code, as well as links to further resources. The government is responsible for enforcing the laws in this area.

The Israeli Knesset passed the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law in 1998, ensuring that people with disabilities are given equal rights and protection in society, including housing and employment. In 2013, the Knesset’s Labor, Welfare, and Health Committee amended the law and adopted the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Regulations 5773-2013, which applies to government agencies and public entities.

Elements of a rule of law

Breaking down a rule into its elements can be a useful method for visualizing and understanding it. It can also make it easier to analyze the rule under particular circumstances. Often, courts use examples to prove the elements of a rule. These examples serve as guides for different types of situations and can help a court compare a particular fact to a specific principle. Here are some ways to break down a rule into its elements:

Functional separation of powers is one of the basic elements of a rule of law. This prevents the government from exercising arbitrary power, and protects the rights of citizens. An independent judiciary is also an essential component of a rule of law. All of the formal elements of a rule of law are important for protecting citizens from arbitrary or malignant governmental action. Furthermore, laws must be consistent, fair, and efficient.