In Brief: Rule of Law

OJEN In Brief resources are designed to provide high school students with an introduction to basic legal concepts. Each resource includes a short lesson plan for the teacher; a 1-4 page plain language description of the legal topic; and activities that provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the topic.

The rule of law is a fundamental concept upon which many of the legal and governmental systems of our communities are built. In order for complex societies to function, their members agree to follow a common set of rules, called ‘the law’. The rule of law means that no-one, no matter how powerful, is above the law. This handout provides readings and activities to explore the rule of law and its development and supporting mechanisms in the Canadian context.