The Hierarchy and Function of Canada’s Judicial System
The Structure of the Canadian Court System
Parliament and the provinces have used their constitutional powers, set out in The Constitution Act, 1867, to create three types of courts: Inferior Courts, Superior Courts, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Court Definitions
Court
A court is a state-sanctioned forum where disputes between opposing litigants are formally adjudicated.
The Constitution Act, 1867
This Act sets out the division of power over courts and judicial appointments.
Common Law Provinces and
Read MoreJudicial Appointments in Pakistan: Commission & Process
Judicial Commission of Pakistan
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is a crucial body responsible for the appointment of Supreme Court and High Court Judges in Pakistan. The Chief Justice of Pakistan serves as the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
Basis of the Judicial Commission
On April 20, 2010, the 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed in the Parliament of Pakistan. In pursuance of this landmark amendment, the Judicial Commission was proposed and subsequently established
Read MoreThe U.S. Congress: Powers, Structure, and Lawmaking
Expressed Powers of Congress
The expressed powers of Congress include:
- Coining money
- Collecting taxes
- Regulating commerce
- Raising and maintaining armed forces
- Declaring war
Funding the Government: Congressional Authority
The Constitution authorizes Congress to fund the government primarily through levying taxes and borrowing money.
Direct vs. Indirect Taxes Explained
An indirect tax is levied on one person but passed on to another for payment to the government (e.g., sales tax, excise taxes). A direct tax
Read MoreUK Government: Cabinet and Parliament
The Legislative Power of the Houses
The legislative power of the Lords is almost equivalent to that of the Commons, and laws must be approved by both Houses. However, the House of Lords has been excluded from all competition in projects of a financial nature. Nevertheless, it has an important work of revision and amendment on laws. As there are no time limits for discussion, they are usually of great interest, and as its members are non-elected, they are in a position to introduce some kind of legislation
Read MoreUS Federal Court System and Civil Liberties
Structure of the Federal Court System
The Constitution establishes the Supreme Court but doesn’t mention other federal courts. Congress has the power to create courts and determine their structure, hierarchy, number of judges, and salaries (Judiciary Act of 1789). Federal courts are separate from state courts. Each state has its own system, handling most trials. Most court cases (divorces, traffic tickets, minor criminal matters) are handled in state or local courts, which are not part of the federal
Read MoreForms of Government and US Constitutional Amendments
Forms of Government
- Representative Democracy: Government is elected by citizens (e.g., USA).
- Direct Democracy: The people decide on policies without any intermediary or representative (e.g., Switzerland).
- Dictatorship: A form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations (e.g., North Korea). One person decides for everyone.
- Autocracy: A form of government in which one ruler has absolute control and decision-making power in all