LAW

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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Jus Naturale
Jus naturale, or natural law, refers to universal principles of justice that are considered inherent and not dependent on human legislation. It suggests that certain rights and moral values exist independently of enacted laws.
Natural law has influenced many legal systems and theories, particularly in areas such as human rights. It emphasizes fairness, morality, and justice as guiding principles for legal development.

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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Jus in Re Aliena


Jus in re aliena means a right over the property of another person. It includes rights such as easements, leases, and mortgages.


This concept contrasts with ownership rights, as the person does not own the property but has certain legal interests in it. Such rights are essential in property law, allowing individuals to benefit from or use property they do not own.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Jus Gentium
Jus gentium, meaning “law of nations,” refers to the body of law governing relationships between states. It is now commonly understood as international law.
Historically rooted in Roman law, it was used to regulate dealings between citizens and foreigners. Today, it encompasses treaties, customs, and principles that guide international relations and cooperation among states.

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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Kerb Crawling


Kerb crawling is a criminal offence involving a man soliciting a woman for prostitution in a public place, typically from a vehicle or immediately after leaving one. The offence arises when the conduct is persistent or causes annoyance or nuisance.


The law aims to prevent harassment and protect individuals from unwanted advances in public spaces. Courts assess whether the conduct meets the threshold of persistence or nuisance, as established in cases such as DPP v Bull. This offence reflects broader societal concerns about public decency and safety.
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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Keep the Peace
To keep the peace means to act in a manner that does not cause or threaten a disturbance of public order. Courts, particularly magistrates’ courts, have the authority to require individuals to enter into recognizances or be “bound over” to maintain peace.
This order may be imposed either following a criminal charge or upon complaint by a member of the public if there is evidence of a potential breach of the peace. If a person refuses to comply, they may face imprisonment, even without having committed a criminal offence. The concept serves as a preventive legal tool to maintain public order and safety.

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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Kaldor-Hicks Efficiency
Kaldor-Hicks efficiency is an economic concept frequently used in the economic analysis of law. It describes a situation where a change in resource allocation results in overall benefits exceeding total costs, even if some individuals are worse off.
Unlike Pareto efficiency, which requires that no one be disadvantaged, Kaldor-Hicks efficiency allows for outcomes where losers could theoretically be compensated by those who gain. In practice, compensation does not need to occur; it is enough that it could occur. This concept is important in evaluating legal rules and policies, especially where trade-offs between different groups are unavoidable.

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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Juvenile Offender
A juvenile offender is a person aged between 10 and 17 who has committed a criminal offence. Within this category, individuals aged 14 to 17 are sometimes specifically referred to as young offenders. The law treats juveniles differently from adults, recognizing their reduced maturity and focusing more on rehabilitation than punishment.

Juveniles are generally tried in youth courts or magistrates’ courts, except in serious cases such as homicide or grave violent or sexual offences, where trial on indictment may occur. They cannot be sentenced to imprisonment; instead, they may receive a detention and training order, combining custody and community supervision. The legal framework governing juvenile offenders emphasizes reform, education, and reintegration into society, rather than purely punitive measures.

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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Just Satisfaction
Just satisfaction is the basis upon which damages are awarded by the European Court of Human Rights when a violation of rights is found. It is also relevant under the Human Rights Act 1998.
In many cases, the court may decide that simply recognizing the violation is sufficient compensation. However, where appropriate, damages may be awarded for financial loss, emotional harm, and legal costs. The amounts awarded are generally modest compared to domestic courts, reflecting the court’s focus on recognition of rights rather than financial compensation.

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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Justifying Bail
Justifying bail refers to the process of proving to the court that a person offering to act as a surety has sufficient financial resources to cover the bail amount if the accused fails to appear.
The surety must demonstrate that they can meet the financial obligation from their own funds. This ensures that bail conditions are meaningful and enforceable. It is a criminal offence for a defendant to agree to compensate the surety for any loss, as this would undermine the purpose of bail as a guarantee of appearance in court.

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KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Justification
Justification is a legal concept that refers to a valid reason or defence for actions that would otherwise be considered unlawful. It operates in several areas of law with slightly different meanings.
In defamation law, justification previously meant proving that a defamatory statement was true, though this has now been replaced by the defence of truth. In tort law, it may justify interference with another’s contractual relations under certain circumstances. In criminal law, justification refers to situations where the act itself is considered right or acceptable, such as self-defence or necessity. Unlike excuses, which focus on the individual’s state of mind, justification focuses on the acceptability of the act itself.

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