Law

 Laws are rules & regulations that protect our rights written by a state (country) to make society a place of order
& fairness.
 Bunreacht na hÈirean=Irish Constitution (law).
 The Oireachtas= Irish Parliament (Group of people who make a Irelands laws-Dàil, Seanad & President)
 Bill= A Proposed law that must undergo 5 stages before a bill becomes a law; Stage 1 Introduction: A bill is
proposed in the Dàil or Seanad. Stage 2 Debate: The bill is discussed in the Dàil. Stage 3 Committee: A few
committees examine the bill & make amendments (changes) if needed. Stage 4 Report: More amendments may
be made after committees produce reports. Stage 5 Final: The final bill is debated again. After the 5 stages in the
Dàil the bill is given to the Seanad to debate. Seanad passes it & the Taoiseach presents it to the President who
signs it into a law/Act.
 Judiciary (judges) make a decisions in court that we must follow.
 The chief law officer of the Irish State is known as the Attorney General
 Common law or Case law=Laws that have been established by decisions made by judges in court.
 The European Union has European Law from European Courts such as the European Court of Justice.
 Local Authorities have By-Laws in local areas for issues such as fishing or dogs on leashes.
 2 Types of law: 1. Criminal law (murder, theft, rape & assault)If someone breaks the law they are persecuted by
the State, An Garda Sìochàna & the Director of the Public Prosecutions (DPP). 2. Civil Law (Agreements &
contracts between people e.g. divorces. Don't always need to go to court, if they bring civil action before the
courts. The courts may feel compensation (money) is due.
 7 main Courts in Ireland: 1. The Supreme Court: The highest & most important court in Ireland. The president
may refer bills that he is unhappy with because they may not be constitutional (in line with Irish law) to the
Supreme Court. Decisions made by the Supreme Court become case law and must be obeyed by lower courts. 2.
The Court of Criminal Appeal: This court deals with appeals made by people from lower courts such as Circuit,
Central & Special Criminal Court. Cases are heard by 3 judges- A Supreme Court judge & 2 High Court judges. 3.
Central Criminal Court/ The High Court: Deals with civil & Criminal cases. It is called Central Criminal Court if
dealing with criminal cases. 4. Special Criminal Court: Serious cases e.g. terrorism, serious drugs & gangland
crime, 3 judges & no jury because of intimidation. 5. The Circuit Court: 8 in Ireland, Civil & Criminal Law,
sometimes has a jury when crimes less serious than murder such as armed robbery or assault are heard here. If
not happy with decision appeals can be made to the high court. 6.District Court:23 in Ireland. Has the most
court cases in Ireland. Civil cases e.g. family law, granting of alcohol & lottery licences to shops & small
compensation claims. Almost all criminal cases start here. Small cases like road traffic & public disorder stay in
this court, more serious cases are moved to the central criminal court. Appeals on cases can be made to the
Circuit Court. 7. The Children's Court: A court for charges on ppl younger than 16 (except murder), no jury,
members of the public not allowed, media not allowed to release the child's identity.
 Members of the Courtrooms: The Judge: In charge, Listens to all evidence, Advices the jury on the law, In civil
cases(no jury) decides who wins & the actions. The Solicitor: Advices clients & listens to their case, takes papers
for trial & chooses a barrister to present the case in court. e.g. buying a house, writing a will. The Barrister/
Counsel: Hired by the solicitor to present the client's case in court. The Register/ Court Clerk: Helps the judge
with running of court cases, in charge of documents/ evidence, records names of witnesses & the decision made,
swears in the jury & those giving evidence. The tipstaff/judge's usher: The judge's personal assistant, walks in
front of the judge and calls all rise. The Stenographer/ Court Reporter: Records everything that is being said &
later types. The Jury: 12 men & women randomly selected from the electoral register. The Court Press & Public:
Newspapers, TV, You & Me. The Accused & Prison Officer, civil case: the plaintiff (making the case) & the
defendant (the accused)
 An Garda Sìochàna: Irish police force that protects us, stops crime, catch criminals, traffic control & works with
the community. Don't carry guns. Acting Garda commissioner, Dónall Ó Cualáin, is the most senior member &
 manages all Gardaì. neighbourhood Watch communities look for crime & report it. An Garda Ombudsman
Commission takes & investigates complaints made about the Gards.
 The Defence Forces: Commander in chief is the Irish President. Defends the country against terrorism, help the
gards when needed, participate in humanitarian relief & UN peace keeping, help when needed e.g. times of
flood.
 Punishment: Warning, fine, community service, probation (supervised), custodial service (prison) 14 in Ireland,
11 are closed (high security)
 Consumer Law: The Consumer Information Act 1978 & The Sales of Goods and Supply Act 1980- Protects our
rights with faulty goods & protects us against misleading info. Repair/Replacement/Refund-Not happy can go to
the Small Claims Court.
 International Law for stopping issues such as Genocide (Murdering a group because of race etc). The main
international courts are the 1. International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against genocide, human rights &
war. It is in the Hague in the Netherlands. Started in the 1990s after the Genocide in Rwanda where millions
were killed in 10wks. 18 judges from different countries, 1st case in 2009 when Thomas Lubanga, a militia
commander in the Democratic Republic of Congo was charged with war crimes for recruiting hundreds of
children under the age of 15 to kill & rape & the2. International Court of Justice: Part of the UN and is also in
the Hague in the Netherlands, 15 judges for 9yrs, deals with disputes between countries, mostly deals with trade
& border issues.
 The Geneva Convention: An e.g. of International Law. An agreement between countries about how wars should
be fought. Aims to limit cruelty of war by protecting civilians, aid workers, prisoners of war, the sick & wounded.
1st Geneva Convention signed in 1864. Guantànamo Bay Detention Centre: holds prisoners suspected of
terrorism. The US has been accused of breaking the Geneva Convention by torturing prisoners (captured arm
forces) & depriving them of their human rights by giving them little food, beating them, preventing sleep &
burning them with cigarettes. Lots of children have been held here. Barack Obama tried to close it.