lesson 8

Question 1

PRECEDENT

Answer 1

Precedent
Purpose:

Legal principles established by superior courts apply to similar cases in the future.
Details:
Without a hierarchical court system, superior courts couldn’t set precedents, which are crucial for maintaining consistency in the legal system.

Question 2

administrative coincience

Answer 2

Administrative Convenience
Purpose:

Distributes legal matters according to their complexity and severity.
Details:

Court hierarchy allows for more efficient use of resources.
Ensures that each court is equipped to handle cases according to its scope and capacity.

Question 3

appeal

Answer 3

Appeal
Purpose:

Allows parties to seek a review if a lower court (e.g. County Court) has made an incorrect decision.
Details:

Higher courts provide an avenue for appeals, ensuring fairness in the judicial system.

Question 4

speaclisation

Answer 4

Develop expertise and knowledge in specific areas of law.
Details:

Each court has its own jurisdiction to hear particular cases.
Example:
Magistrates’ Court handles less serious criminal offences (e.g. minor drug possession).
This repeated exposure helps magistrates develop expertise to make fair and consistent decisions.
This repeated exposure helps magistrates develop expertise to make fair and consistent decisions.

Question 5

vic court hierachy structure

Answer 5

Victorian Court Hierarchy
Court Structure:

High Court of Australia
Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
Trial Division
County Court
**Magistrates’ Court

Question 6

role of the court

Answer 6

Role of the Courts
Objective:

To uphold social cohesion by ensuring justice, fairness, and consistency in the legal system