Law is a set of rules that governs the interactions of human beings, enforced by social or governmental institutions. Law may take the form of a statute, decree or regulation or be established by precedent (case law). It can also be a societal viewpoint on rationality, justice and morality.
Law permeates society, influencing relationships, governance, commerce and the protection of individuals and property. Its diversity and evolution emphasize its importance as a tool for advancing the social fabric. Law encompasses a number of different disciplines and areas of practice, with each field defining its own laws and rules. For example, a judge’s decisions and precedents determine how a case is interpreted by a jury and can significantly influence the outcome of a trial.
Legal fields include civil law, criminal law, constitutional law, administrative law, company law and family law. Each discipline focuses on specific types of transactions, disputes, rights and privileges. Civil law focuses on the relationships between individuals, including marriages, divorces and child custody. Criminal law outlines the punishments for crimes committed against an individual or the public, such as murder, theft and robbery. Constitutional law outlines the limits on a government’s power to control its citizens. Administrative law regulates businesses, such as banks, utilities and transport companies. It sets minimum standards and outlines the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency or disaster.
The exact definition of law is open to debate, and many books have been written on the subject. However, the concept is primarily understood to be the rules and regulations established by a controlling authority in order to control behavior, and to protect people’s liberties and rights. This can be done through the use of sanctions, such as fines or imprisonment. Law may be established by legislatures resulting in statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; or through judges establishing case law based on the principle of stare decisis. Private individuals can also create their own legal contracts and agreements, which are usually legally binding.
Legal systems around the world differ widely, but most share some of the same basic principles. For example, the judicial system of Louisiana, which is under the jurisdiction of the United States, is based on English common law. Many other countries, such as Australia, Canada, Jamaica, India and Sri Lanka follow the common law tradition as well. Other countries have legal systems that combine common law with civil law, such as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Others have a mixture of civil and religious law, such as Indonesia and Pakistan.