Law is a framework of rules created by people and enforced by government, with penalties for those who break these rules. This set of rules ensures that there is cooperation between different parts of society, prevents conflict of interests and promotes morality and justice.
The study of Law teaches students how to think like a lawyer. This is a complex process that requires not only a solid grasp of the rules but also an understanding of the underlying issues, philosophical viewpoints and other intellectual disciplines. It is a little like learning to speak a language, and students of Law must master the vocabulary, grammar, intonation and subtleties of the subject in order to succeed.
Many people have different views of what Law is and how it should work. One view is called legal positivism and it states that laws simply describe what happens in a society and do not state why it occurs. This view also states that the purpose of Law is to control behavior and that it is coercive.
Another view, called natural law, is based on a belief that there are certain fundamental principles of right and wrong. These principles are based on a sense of morality and the idea that certain actions are wrong regardless of their consequences. Natural Law is also influenced by the idea that people are born with a sense of what is right and wrong.
This view of Law has many different implications for the way that societies should be run. It encourages citizens to be active participants in their own government, ensuring that there are checks and balances against power and that those who have power do not abuse it. It also encourages a respect for the rule of law, which means that all people are treated equally before the courts and that government officials do not have the power to discriminate against certain groups.
A legal system should be transparent and accountable, with clear expressions of rights and duties and the ability to adjust to social change through interpretation and creative jurisprudence. It should be accessible to all citizens and enforceable by representatives and neutrals who are competent, ethical, and reflect the makeup of their communities. It should also provide for a quick, efficient, and effective resolution of disputes.
A wide range of subjects are covered by the Law field, from criminal and civil procedure to family and labour law. Labour law involves the tripartite industrial relationship between employee, employer and trade unions and includes things like collective bargaining, health and safety laws and minimum wage regulation. Family law focuses on marriage and divorce proceedings, and the rights of children to their parents. Other topics include immigration law, which relates to the right to live in a country other than your own and to acquire or lose citizenship; and biolaw, which is the intersection between Law and the biosciences. These different fields allow lawyers to specialise and focus on areas that they are passionate about.