The Australian Legal System

**Courts and the judiciary** The **High Court of Australia** is the highest court in Australia. It interprets the Australian Constitution and hears appeals from lower courts. Other courts include: • **Federal Court of Australia** — civil and criminal matters of federal law • **Family Court of Australia** — family law matters • **State and Territory Courts** — handle most criminal and civil cases (Supreme Court, District/County Court, Magistrates Court) **The rule of law** All Australians are equal under the law. No person or group is above the law. **Important laws protecting individuals** **Anti-discrimination laws** Australian laws protect people from discrimination based on gender, race, disability or age. These include the: • Racial Discrimination Act • Sex Discrimination Act • Disability Discrimination Act • Age Discrimination Act The **Australian Human Rights Commission** is an independent commission that investigates complaints about discrimination and human rights breaches. Incidents of racism can be reported to the Commission. **Australian Consumer Law** Protects consumers from unfair practices and ensures goods and services meet basic standards. The **Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)** enforces this law. **Privacy and defamation** Australian laws protect a person's **privacy** and their **good name against false information and allegations** (defamation laws). **Freedom of information** People have the right to access information held by the government about themselves. **The jury system** A jury is a group of ordinary citizens who hear the evidence in a criminal case and decide if the accused is guilty or not guilty. Jury service is a responsibility of citizenship.