1. What are the role and responsibilities of the courts?
One of their main tasks is to interpret the laws made and administered by the legislative and executive branches. Our courts have a duty to be impartial.
2. how does the judicial system protect the rights of individuals and society.
Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This long-held principle of Canadian law is now part of the Canadian Charter of rights and Freedoms.
No one can be forced to testify as a witness at his or her own trial.
All accused people have a right to a lawyer, if they wish. If they cannot afford one, the government will pay for one.