POLS 2910 Chapter Notes - Chapter 24: Reference Question, Law Society, Unemployment Benefits
1 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Harper government took hard line on crime: changed procedure for appointment of judges, gave them less discretion on sentences, caused larger inmate population, increased justice administration costs at provincial level. Supreme court judges are appointed by house of commons. Scc has made substantial decisions which affect canada and canadian lives. Political science used to be concerned with judiciary and the court because of how the courts interpreted the federal-provincial division of powers: crcf changed this and the role of the courts expanded. Chapter examines judiciary as an institution of government, discussing function of adjudication. Judiciary always been associated with rule adjudication function. Adjudication: interpreting law in cases of dispute, settling disputes by applying law, making judgement based on law. Many legal disputes resolved without going to court or judicial process: out of court settlements. Administrative tribunals also adjudicate: difference between them and real courts is often small. Stare decisis: principle that precedents are binding on successive decisions.
