What Is Law?
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1.1 PRELIMINARIES
What is law?
What are the functions/purposes of law?
How can law be classified?
• Civil / Criminal
• Case / Statute
• Common law / Equity / various meanings of “common law”
1.2 THE AUSTRALIAN LEGAL SYSTEM
1.2.1 Courts of law in Western Australia
Australian Courts exercising civil jurisdiction
• High Court of Australia
• Federal Court of Australia
• WA Supreme Court
• District Court
• Magistrate Court
Jurisdiction of the Courts
• Appellate v original jurisdiction
• Criteria for jurisdiction
– Nature of action
– Seriousness of action or Amount of Claim
Jurisdiction of the major civil courts of WA
A. Original Jurisdiction
Magistrate Court
• Small Disputes Division $7,500 maximum
• Residential Tenancy matters $10,000 maximum
• General Debt/Damages $50,000 maximum
• Consumer/Trader claims $50,000 maximum
District Court
• Unlimited amount re: all cases involving personal injury
• Exclusive jurisdiction re: personal injury arising from motor vehicle accidents
• Other cases: $500,000 maximum
Supreme Court of WA
• Unlimited jurisdiction re: amount
• Sole jurisdiction to grant equitable remedies
• No matrimonial jurisdiction
Federal Court
• Certain Commonwealth matters eg. bankruptcy, industrial claims or enforcement of Trade Practices
High Court of Australia...
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