Law is a complex set of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions that regulate behavior in a given society. It has a number of purposes: establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberties and rights. Law can be made by a legislature, resulting in statutes; by an executive agency, through decrees and regulations; or established by judges, resulting in court decisions that are binding on other courts under the doctrine of precedent (or stare decisis). Private individuals may also create legally binding contracts. The study of law is known as legal studies or jurisprudence.
Law can be broadly defined as a system of guidelines and restrictions geared to control human behaviour and keep social order. It can refer to a single rule, such as not murdering other people. It can also refer to a whole collection of laws, such as all the rules of a particular nation. Law is commonly seen as a means of social engineering and, as such, has been subject to conflicting pulls of political philosophy, economic interests and ethical values.
Among the most significant and enduring debates about law are questions of its purpose, scope and function. The most common explanation is that the law is a tool for achieving certain social goals. Some critics of this view argue that the use of coercive force is illegitimate, because it amounts to imposing arbitrary and unequal treatment. Others counter that a more effective, less violent approach to law is possible if it is understood as a system of rules that are designed to serve the needs and interests of society in general.
For example, the law may define a property’s rights and duties. This could include an individual’s right to their house, and the rights of companies and businesses to their profits. The law may also regulate the activities of certain groups, such as criminals and terrorists.
Other types of law include immigration and nationality law, which govern the rights of foreigners to live and work in a country; family law, such as divorce proceedings; and tort law, such as compensation for injuries caused by car accidents or defamation. Contract law defines people’s agreements to exchange goods, services and other property. It can also include laws that cover transactions in financial markets, such as securities and derivatives.
The study of law covers a variety of topics and disciplines, including politics, sociology, history, economics and philosophy. It is important for those working in areas of law that are more concerned with changing existing legislation, because it allows them to analyse the impact of proposed changes on that specific area of law and to consider how best to implement them. In addition, those involved in legal research and education need to be aware of changes to the law as they occur, because this impacts the way they teach and advise clients about their rights and obligations. In the context of these broad disciplinary areas, the law is often described as a “living organism”. This article was last updated on 31 January 2019. This page contains links to external websites that are not part of The Conversation website.