LGLS 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Precedent
Document Summary
Law made by the legislature: congress (federal) govern people at the national level, harrisburg (state) govern the people of the state, city council, philadelphia (local level) govern people of the city. Name of legislation: bill laws that are introduced but not necessarily enacted, statue when the bill becomes a law (passed through congress or state, ordinance when the law/bill is passed (passed through local level) Law made by a judge: laws based on precedent (legal term = stare. We look at prior cases to decide the present issue. Tend to apply the prior case law to current issue to resolve it. Backbone of law because it allows for predictability in law and gives uniformity/equality. Court is not always bound to follow precedent, especially as times/society change ex: spousal support: status and process. Government you can"t sue city hall : can"t sue the government unless they give their consent to be sued.
