INTRODUCTION TO LAW:
DEFINITION OF TERMS IN LAW AND EVERYTHING YOU
NEED TO KNOW AS A BEGINNER
WELL SUMMARIZED STUDY MATERIALS AND NOTES
2025-2026 GRADED A+
Law
to assure harmony and avoid chaos among people who live together. In a general sense, a ___
consists of a set of rules and procedures usually intended to regulate some aspect of society;
rules created and enforced by federal, state, and local governments
Canon law
regulate many religious organizations
Bylaws
Corporations and many businesses, social, and charitable organizations often operate in
accordance with rules or regulations
Civil Law
a legal system that refers to a system based primarily on written constitutions and written
laws or codes; In such legal systems, a ruler or legislative body creates an extensive set of
rules or regulations to govern. The role of courts in such systems is limited.
2 Major types of Legal systems
Civil Law (more prevalent in the modern day)
Common Law (originated in medieval England)
Common Law
A body of law developed through the courts; based on precedent or case laws. Originally
decisions were based on tradition and custom, but eventually decisions were based on
precedent. Precedent requires courts to follow decisions of earlier courts; stare decisis (“It
stands decided”; another term for precedent.); The United States has a written Constitution
and written codes; however, these are subject to interpretation by the courts and these
decisions often become precedent.
Code
a topical organization of statutes
Precedent
The example set by the decision of an earlier court for similar cases or similar legal questions
that arise in later cases.
, Stare decisis
“It stands decided”; another term for precedent.
Jurisprudence
study of philosophy of law; deals with a multitude of questions related to the origins of law,
the meaning of law, and the relationship of law and morality.
Natural Theory of Law
law reflects the moral and unchangeable laws of nature. When a law fails to do this, it is
unjust and need not be obeyed. (Philosophers such as Aristotle, Socrates, and Thomas
Aquinas held this theory.)
Legal Positivism
the validity of a law is not related to morality. If a law is properly created or enacted then it is
valid.
Legal realism
A philosophical theory that laws are created by judges and therefore subject to individual
beliefs and prejudices; Whether one must obey a law is a moral question
Categorizing Laws
1. whether the law is constitutional law, statutory law, or case law
2. whether the law is substantive or procedural
3. whether the law is criminal or civil.
Major Way of Classifying Laws
A major way of classifying laws is by the source of the law; U.S. laws generally stem from
one of three sources: a constitution, a statute, or a case decision; they are known accordingly
as constitutional law, statutory law, or case law.
Tort Law
the law of negligence, which requires that one pay for damages that he or she negligently
causes. (Example: Suppose Peters, driving inattentively, runs a red light and collides with a
truck driven by McDonald. Peters is injured but McDonald is not. In this case, because it is
Peters and not McDonald who was negligent, the court cannot make McDonald pay for
Peters's injuries. On the other hand, if McDonald were injured, he could sue and probably
win.)
Statute of Limitations
a law that restricts the period of time within which an action may be brought to court
(Example: Suppose Peters, driving inattentively, runs a red light and collides with a truck
driven by McDonald. Even though the substantive law supports a claim by McDonald, if he
waits three years after the accident to sue, the court will probably dismiss the action because
McDonald did not follow the procedural rules of the state.)
DEFINITION OF TERMS IN LAW AND EVERYTHING YOU
NEED TO KNOW AS A BEGINNER
WELL SUMMARIZED STUDY MATERIALS AND NOTES
2025-2026 GRADED A+
Law
to assure harmony and avoid chaos among people who live together. In a general sense, a ___
consists of a set of rules and procedures usually intended to regulate some aspect of society;
rules created and enforced by federal, state, and local governments
Canon law
regulate many religious organizations
Bylaws
Corporations and many businesses, social, and charitable organizations often operate in
accordance with rules or regulations
Civil Law
a legal system that refers to a system based primarily on written constitutions and written
laws or codes; In such legal systems, a ruler or legislative body creates an extensive set of
rules or regulations to govern. The role of courts in such systems is limited.
2 Major types of Legal systems
Civil Law (more prevalent in the modern day)
Common Law (originated in medieval England)
Common Law
A body of law developed through the courts; based on precedent or case laws. Originally
decisions were based on tradition and custom, but eventually decisions were based on
precedent. Precedent requires courts to follow decisions of earlier courts; stare decisis (“It
stands decided”; another term for precedent.); The United States has a written Constitution
and written codes; however, these are subject to interpretation by the courts and these
decisions often become precedent.
Code
a topical organization of statutes
Precedent
The example set by the decision of an earlier court for similar cases or similar legal questions
that arise in later cases.
, Stare decisis
“It stands decided”; another term for precedent.
Jurisprudence
study of philosophy of law; deals with a multitude of questions related to the origins of law,
the meaning of law, and the relationship of law and morality.
Natural Theory of Law
law reflects the moral and unchangeable laws of nature. When a law fails to do this, it is
unjust and need not be obeyed. (Philosophers such as Aristotle, Socrates, and Thomas
Aquinas held this theory.)
Legal Positivism
the validity of a law is not related to morality. If a law is properly created or enacted then it is
valid.
Legal realism
A philosophical theory that laws are created by judges and therefore subject to individual
beliefs and prejudices; Whether one must obey a law is a moral question
Categorizing Laws
1. whether the law is constitutional law, statutory law, or case law
2. whether the law is substantive or procedural
3. whether the law is criminal or civil.
Major Way of Classifying Laws
A major way of classifying laws is by the source of the law; U.S. laws generally stem from
one of three sources: a constitution, a statute, or a case decision; they are known accordingly
as constitutional law, statutory law, or case law.
Tort Law
the law of negligence, which requires that one pay for damages that he or she negligently
causes. (Example: Suppose Peters, driving inattentively, runs a red light and collides with a
truck driven by McDonald. Peters is injured but McDonald is not. In this case, because it is
Peters and not McDonald who was negligent, the court cannot make McDonald pay for
Peters's injuries. On the other hand, if McDonald were injured, he could sue and probably
win.)
Statute of Limitations
a law that restricts the period of time within which an action may be brought to court
(Example: Suppose Peters, driving inattentively, runs a red light and collides with a truck
driven by McDonald. Even though the substantive law supports a claim by McDonald, if he
waits three years after the accident to sue, the court will probably dismiss the action because
McDonald did not follow the procedural rules of the state.)
