Damn, this thread is dead. Well anyways, I think its a good idea if you 12'ers tried to continue on with this thread. It really helps to help each other out if that makes any sense at all haha.
Anyway easy answer to the rule of law:
The rule of law states that no one is above the law, not even the people who make the law or enforce the law are above the law. They cannot abuse their law making or law enforcing rights. They cannot use any form of arbitrary power against members of society. example of breaching this power is Mandatory sentencing (you should use domestic cases...so use the NT case where Aborigines were not given a fair sentencing, hence there was a surge in the number of indigenous people that were placed in jail for USUALLY petty crimes such as petty theft etc under the then new Howard Regime). Whilst this regime has now been abandoned, it has caused more havoc regarding the issue of institutionalised inequality among the indigenous population of australia as compared to the non-indigenous pop.
Other examples: When in court, if the judge is thought to be bias in his sentencing, then a new trial is ordered or the judge is replaced in order to maintain fairness and consistency.
If the judge knows the victim or accused, they are not allowed to hear that case, again for reasons of bias.
Judges are not allowed to tamper with any evidence, if this i the case, then there is a new hearing ordered and the judge is replaced AGAIN.
Basically, the rule of law is to maintain peace within our society, where everyone is equal, where everyone is on the same "playing ground" so to speak. If the rule of law didnt exist, then we would have higher authorities such as law makers and law enforcers breaching their power and abusing our human rights.
