FALL 2023

CHAPTER ONE – OUR SYSTEM OF LAW

OBJECTIVES:

Students should be able to:

Define the term law and apply the laws to:

Their personal and everyday lives.

Their social lives

Their business and business operations.

The Government requirements of them as citizens.

Identify the basic sources of law and apply them appropriately to the relevant situation.

Classify the different types of laws.

Differentiate between law and morals.

Identify the structure of the government system and court systems to enable them to apply the laws to
their daily interactions.

VOCABULARY:

Law: A system of rules and regulations enforced by a governing authority to maintain order and justice in
a society.

Court: A legal institution responsible for adjudicating disputes, interpreting laws, and administering
justice.

Magistrate/Judge: A legal official who presides over court proceedings, makes rulings, and ensures the
fair application of the law.

Federal Law: Legal rules and regulations established by the national government of a country.

State Law: Legal rules and regulations established by individual states within a country.
Constitutional Law: The body of laws and principles that define the structure and powers of a
government, often found in a nation's constitution.

Executive Order: A directive issued by a government's executive branch, typically by the head of state, to
implement or clarify laws and policies.

Treaty: A formal agreement between two or more nations, often addressing diplomatic, trade, or
security matters.

Common Law: Legal principles and precedents established by court decisions over time, rather than by
written statutes or codes.

Precedent: A legal decision or ruling that serves as a basis for future similar cases.

Statutory Law: Laws created and enacted by a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress.

Ordinance: A local law or regulation enacted by a municipal government.

Administrative Law: Laws and regulations governing the actions and procedures of government agencies
and administrative bodies.

Jurisdiction: The authority or legal power of a court or government entity to make decisions and enforce
laws within a defined geographic area or subject matter.

CONTENT:

Give an example where the civil law will be applied in a business situation.

An example of civil law being applied in a business situation in Kuwait could be a contract dispute
between two companies over the terms and conditions of a partnership agreement.

Give an example where the civil law will be applied in your personal life.
Civil law may be applied in my personal life in Kuwait if I were to file a lawsuit against a neighbor for
property boundary disputes, such as a disagreement over a shared wall or fence.

Give an example where the criminal law will apply in a business situation.

An example of criminal law applying in a business situation in Kuwait could be a case involving
embezzlement or corporate fraud within a company, where individuals are prosecuted for financial
wrongdoing.

Give an example where the criminal law will apply in your personal life.

Criminal law could be applicable in my personal life in Kuwait if I were a victim of theft, and I reported
the theft to the police, leading to a criminal investigation and potential charges against the thief.

ASSIGNMENT:

Refer to the local newspaper and find an example of a decision which the Constitutional Court has made,
OR of any decree which has been issued. Briefly state the effect of the ruling or the decree on society.
You may use any ruling or decree made in the past year.

The ruling by the Kuwaiti Constitutional Court in March 2023, invalidating the membership of the
winners of the September 2022 National Assembly elections and restoring the previous parliament, had
a significant effect on society. It almost caused a political crisis in the country, indicating a disruption in
the democratic process and potentially eroding public trust in the electoral system and political
institutions. This decision likely led to political tensions and uncertainty within Kuwaiti society, as it
questioned the legitimacy of the elected representatives and raised concerns about the stability of the
political environment.