Rules and Laws

What is the difference?

 What are Rules?
• Rules are guidelines for appropriate behavior.
• Rules only apply to the participants in the game or members of an
organisation that people are participating in. e.g. a rule of hockey
is – no boarding, charging, cross-checking, elbowing, holding,
hooking, high-sticking, interference, roughing, slashing, spearing,
tripping and unsportsmanlike conduct.
• These rule applies only to those playing the game of hockey.
Do we need rules?
- What would happen if a game like
hockey was played without rules?

• Play SHINTY clip

• The game would deteriorate into a series of fights and injuries; in the
end violence rather than skill would win games
• Sports mirror real life: without rules to govern relations between
people, disorder and conflict would arise.
Do we need rules?

• Rules are needed because situations involving more than one person
usually require rules to regulate and control them. Think of our school
Emmaus College, or home, for example, if there were no rules how
would this area of your life change?
 What are Laws?
• A law is a rule needed to govern an action; it is a rule that is established
by government for the members of its society to follow and obey.
How are rules and Laws different?
• A law is not just an ordinary rule. Ordinary rules are part of our
everyday lives in Australia, whether they are made by institutions,
organisations, or schools. We must obey and follow rules or face the
consequences. Laws are mandatory, rules may be optional.
How are Rules and Laws different?
• A law, however, is a special kind of rule; it is a legal rule. Laws apply
to all members of society and are usually made and enforced by the
Parliament or other statutory bodies with delegated authority (e.g.
local councils)

• There is a formal system of procedures for the enforcement of laws.

They are generally enforceable in a court whereas rules are usually
not.

• If a citizen breaks or violates a law, a formal system of remedies and

punishments are in place to deal with the offender.
 How are Rules and Laws different?

• In Australia, we have a democratic system of government comprised

of representatives elected by the people to make or change laws to
reflect the options of the majority of Australians.
• In some countries, the people live under a dictatorship (a form of
government in which there is one absolute ruler) and have to obey
the laws made by one person, or a small group of people, who have
not been elected to office.
Are all Laws Rules?
• Yes
• All laws are rules, but all rules are not necessarily laws. (e.g. wearing
your hat outside)
• Can you think of another rule and/or law that supports this
statement?
Rules Vs Laws Quiz
• Read each of the following statements.
• Raise you hand and wait for me to point to you.

• Is it a rule or a law?
Rules vs Laws Quiz
1. You don’t go to school on Australia day.

Rule or Law?
ANSWER - Law

Explanation – Labour Day is a statutory

holiday. The purpose of a statutory
holiday is to provide workers with a day
off without being financially penalized.
Rules vs Laws Quiz
2. When driving your car, you STOP at a red light

Rule or Law?
ANSWER - Law

Explanation – This law applies to all

citizens, and if caught by an office of
the law you will be punished.
Rules vs Laws Quiz
3. You have an allocated area to sit during campus assemblies.

Rule or Law?
ANSWER - Rule

Explanation – This is not enforceable by

law and only applies to you at your
school.
Rules vs Laws Quiz
4. Every child must go to school until they are 16 or are at TAFE or place
of employment

Rule or Law?
ANSWER - Law

Explanation – This applies to all Australian

citizens. Commonwealth and State legislation
have ‘earn or learn’ provisions that compels
16 yr old students to either continue with
High school , gain full time employment,
begin an apprenticeship or enroll in a higher
education course.
Law: It’s Everywhere
• Law is all around us.
• Most people have had direct contact with the law or know someone
who has.
• Because laws are all around us, and affect everyone, it’s vital that we
know our rights.
• Australia has so many laws, and they are constantly changing.
• Why do laws change? Because they are intended to reflect our
society’s current values and beliefs.