What Is Law?
Law is a set of rules that regulates crime, business agreements and social relationships. It encompasses everything from laws against theft to regulations regarding what can be said over the phone.
Law, in essence, refers to the laws created by governments which citizens must obey or face consequences. Some laws are designed to prevent crimes and others aim to encourage good behavior.
Legal subjects fall under three broad categories: public law, private law and international law. Some fields of law such as criminal or space law require more specialized knowledge to address particular concerns.
Public law is the body of statutory law created and enforced by governments to guide citizens’ and governments’ behavior. It encompasses laws regarding women’s and minorities’ rights as well as safeguarding fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech. Public law serves to ensure citizens’ rights are upheld by government authorities.
Private law is the body of legal rules that regulate interpersonal relationships and transactions between individuals, such as in business or contract law. These norms can be expressed through claims and privileges (which determine what parties can do), powers (which dictate what they cannot do), or immunities (which indicate what cannot be done).
Claims, privileges and powers are generally derived from other laws (i.e., through the legislative or executive branch of a government), while immunities come directly from customs. Some rights such as property ownership and the ability to appoint another representative in court stem directly from customs; other areas like property or estate law derive their legitimacy from more general legal principles.
Many legal systems, such as the English common law and American civil law, rely on precedent or stare decisis (Latin for “to stand by”), which ensures lower courts are bound by higher decisions so similar cases reach similar conclusions.
These traditions can be found in a variety of countries around the world. In some, such as England and Canada, they were passed down from historical periods; while in others like France or Japan they have developed through legal tradition or religious influence over time.
Some religions, such as Islam, have their own law that is based on their precepts and interpreted through an elaborate system of jurisprudence. This body of rulings, called Sharia, derives from the Quran but also includes human interpretation.
Laws exist for many purposes, from maintaining peace to safeguarding citizens’ rights. But most importantly, laws provide a system of rules which ensure social order. Furthermore, they serve as tools for governments to guarantee citizens receive equal treatment and enable societies to settle conflicts peacefully without resorting to violence – such as when two people disagree over ownership of property.
