Law is a set of rules created and enforced by the state that form a framework to ensure a peaceful society. If these rules are broken then sanctions can be imposed, such as fines or imprisonment. A wide range of laws exist, including civil, criminal and administrative. The law shapes politics, economics, history and society in many different ways. It also serves as a mediator of relations between people.
Legal systems vary widely, but most have some common elements. Generally speaking, a constitutional constitution establishes the fundamental rights of citizens and the limits of government power. Civil laws define people’s rights and duties toward each other, while criminal law defines the punishment of those who commit crimes such as murder, rape or fraud. International law is a set of guidelines that states adhere to when they are parties to agreements such as treaties or conventions.
The law can be defined in many different ways, but the most precise definition is a legal system that enforces a code of conduct that is binding on all members of a social or economic group. This can be enacted by a legislative body, resulting in statutes; by an executive authority through decrees and regulations; or established by judges through precedent. Private individuals can also create legally binding contracts.
Most countries have a legal system based on their national traditions and a mixture of secular and religious influences. Within a country, laws can be classified by their jurisdiction or area of application. For example, contracts are governed by contract law, property by property law and torts by tort law. Environmental protection is framed by environmental laws, and aviation law is governed by national civil aviation acts that are aligned with recommendations or mandatory standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation or ICAO.
A key aspect of the law is its interpretation. Judges, for instance, must interpret statutes when they are deciding cases. These decisions are known as case law, and are often used by other courts when deciding similar situations. This process is called judicial review.
When researching the law, it is important to use primary legal sources. These are formal documents officially issued by the lawmaking or governing body that establish a particular matter of law, such as a court decision. Secondary legal sources, such as law reviews and legal encyclopedias, provide commentary or interpretation of the law and are helpful in the research process.
The study of the law is a diverse and fascinating field. It encompasses many different disciplines, such as sociology, anthropology, political science and public policy. The study of the law focuses on the way that legal systems are designed, how they operate and the effects of different types of laws. It is particularly concerned with the extent to which laws are enforced and how that enforcement affects society. For example, Max Weber reshaped thinking on the extension of state power by highlighting problems that early writers such as Locke or Montesquieu could not have foreseen.