The Israeli legal system merges English Common Law concepts with influences of European Continental Codification and American Constitutional ideas. Israeli legislation is made of Ordinances adopted during the British mandate rule of Palestine (1922–1948) and Laws legislated by the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset). Israel does not have a Constitution. However, Basic Laws, adopted by the Knesset, govern the operations of the branches of government and protect human and civil rights. Most civil and criminal cases are heard by either Magistrate Courts or District Courts (the latter hearing only the gravest criminal matters and the more serious civil matters (both, as defined by law)). There are also specialized courts, such as the Family Courts, the Juvenile Courts, the Administrative Courts, and the Labor Courts. The highest court of the land is the Israeli Supreme Court, which hear appeals but also some administrative petitions as a court of first instance. The decisions of the Supreme Court are binding precedents, and it also has the authority to annul legislation of the Knesset if it finds it contradicts rights protected under the Basic Laws.