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Media Law & Ethics Chapter 2 : Singapore Legal System (Lesson 2A1)

Singapore Legal System 2

Singapore Legal System CONTENTS 01 What: Nature and Classification of Law (a) Criminal Law (b) Civil Law 02 Who: Sources of Law (a) Legislation (b) Common Law 03 Where: Singapore Courts (a) Supreme Court (b) State Courts 04 How: Settlement of Disputes 3

Singapore Legal System CONTENTS 01 What: Nature and Classification of Law (a) Criminal Law (b) Civil Law 02 Who: Sources of Law (a)Legislation (b)Common Law 03 Where: Singapore Courts (a)Supreme Court (b)State Courts 04 How: Settlement of Disputes 4

(1) Nature and Classification of Law • Explain the classifications of law

Classification of Law • What is “law”? – Body of rules recognised and applied by the State in the administration of justice • Law is usually classified into: Criminal Law Civil Law 6

Classification of Law Criminal Law Civil Law Public Individuals • Conduct is made • Focused on the criminal if it rights and duties threatens/harms between society individuals • Enforcement by the State 8

For John Doe buys a Samsung mobile example… for a retailer, StinkyTel. There is a contract between them. Source: Britannica Image Quest The next day, John finds that the phone is defective. John, as an individual, may have the right to sue StinkyTel based on the contract. Usually a retailer like StinkyTel has a duty to provide products of satisfactory quality to a consumer like John. If John wins, the court could order StinkyTel to compensate John. This is a civil law matter and the State (eg police) is usually not involved as there is no crime here. Note: Of course, normally, instead of suing in court (and paying legal fees), John would simply complain to the retailer who would repair or replace the phone. 9 www.pexels.com

Classification of Law Criminal Law Civil Law Public Individuals • Conduct is made • Focused on the criminal if it rights and duties threatens/harms between society individuals • Enforcement by Compensation the State • Main intention is to Punishment compensate the injured (affected) • Punishment is a main party, not to punish consequence of the wrongful party committing a criminal offence • Eg: Defective iPhone: John and • Egs? StinkyTel • Other reasons– • Why is it usually not rehabilitation, under criminal law? 12 deterrence etc

Classification of Law Some branches of civil law 02 Law of Tort Breach of duties imposed by general law and not by contract Eg: Negligence, Defamation 01 Contract Law Agreements (written or verbal) between parties 14

Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) Watch this: https:// fb.watch/4PqCh2mLzt/ 15 Source: http://www.wildy.com/isbn/9780854900497

Classification of Law 03 Some branches of civil law 02 Family Law Law of Tort Family and matrimonial Breach of duties imposed by matters general law and not by contract 04 Eg: Negligence, Others Defamation Eg Property law 01 Contract Law Agreements (written or verbal) between parties 16

Overlap between Civil & Criminal Law • Can you think of situations where eg a traffic accident may sometimes be both civil and criminal? • Come prepared to discuss your example during the lesson. 17

Singapore Legal System CONTENTS 01 What: Nature and Classification of Law (a) Criminal Law (b) Civil Law 02 Who: Sources of Law (a)Legislation (b)Common Law 03 Where: Singapore Courts (a)Supreme Court (b)State Courts 04 How: Settlement of Disputes 18

End of 2A (1) 19