SLC22-W1 / Basic Notions of Law.
Assignment Answers
Part 1
Law is a systematic way of ruling a country, society or group of people, principles, and guidelines made and enforced by government authorities to regulate human acts, maintain order, protect people's properties, their rights, and make sure that justice is made within a society or an organization. It serves as a guideline for resolving fights, distinguish rights and responsibilities, and promoting social agreement.
Laws can be:
Statutory Law: Written laws made by legislative bodies (we call the legislative bodies house of representatives or house of assembly in Nigeria)
Common law: it is made through judicial decisions and precedents.
Customary Law: this law is Bases on long standing culture and practices.
Religious: taken from religious beliefs and practices.
law gives a structure for fairness, accountability, and coexistence.
Case study
In this kind of scenario, both Objective Law and Subjective Law are in the following ways:
Objective Law:
This refers to the legal law that is made to rules and the way people behave.- The traffic law needs drivers to obey the traffic lights, and that is an example of Objective Law.
- Then The police officer that stop the driver and accused him for not obeying the traffic light is enforcing these objective rules.
Subjective Law:
This law refers to the everyone's rights under a specific circumstances.- The driver explained that he disobey the traffic light because he had to take his sick child to the hospital and it's emergency, that is a Subjective Law argument. He is telling them that he have personal right to do disobey traffic law in that kind of situation to protect his child from death.
The Objective Law is a universal law to traffic regulations, the Subjective Law still said that driver can disobey the law if it has to do with protection of life or health in an emergency. Although a court or authority would need to make balance in these aspects in order to determine the right response.
Part 2
Comparing Law and Norm in Nigerian Law:
A law is a formal rule created by authority of the governmental and enforced by legal sanctions when not obeyed. Not complying may result paying fines, send to prison, or other legal penalties.
Instance in Nigeria: The law of tenancy in Lagos State 2011 governs landlord-tenant relationships, including payment of rent and pack out procedures.
Norm: A norm is a standard of attitudes created by society or a specific group. Although It is not binded legally, but if you don't comply, it may lead to social disapproval or exclusion.
Instance in Nigeria: Cultural expectations, like greeting the elders with respect, are societal norms, in Yoruba land, you man must prostrate while woman would kneel down to greet the elders.
Violation of a Law:
Mr. Juan Perez’s didn't pay rent for three months, so he has violated the legal obligation to respect the tenancy agreements.
According toTenancy Law in Nigeria. For instance, in Lagos State, a tenant must pay rent as written in the agreement he had with the landlord or caretaker. Non-compliance can lead to pack-out through a legal process.
In this case, the owner of the property can seek legal assistance to recover the rent or send Mr. Perez packing.
Violation of a Norm: as he have dogs in the apartment, he has violated the building's rules that was made, which didn't allow pets.
This is a norm because the rule is an informal agreement made by the residents of the property to promote peace and comfort.
Non-compliance does not mean he would face legal consequences but it could lead to social disapproval or penalties that has been set by the residents that made the law, penalties like fines or he get restrictions from the residential area.
Key Differences in the Case:
The Law: Focuses on Mr. Perez’s duty or obligation to the house or property rent, it can be enforced by legal action.
Norm: in relation to his non-compliance to no pet policy could lead to social or community-based repercussions, not legal action.
Part 3
Comparative Law is important because it helps me:
- Expand legal knowledge by understanding different legal systems.
- it helps sesolve conflicts internationally or another culture settings.
- Improve my country laws by learning from other countries' legal practices.
- Navigate international trade and legal problems in business.
- Helps career opportunities in worldwide law and international.
It enhances my ability to handle legal matters in a globalized and civilised world.
I admire how you've broken down complex legal concepts into simple terms for everyone to understand. This is truly inspiring and shows your dedication to sharing knowledge.