A system of rules that a society deems appropriate for its citizens, whether in the form of legislation or of custom and policies upheld by judicial decisions. Law shapes politics, economics and history in many ways and serves as a mediator of relations between people. It is therefore important to understand how laws are created and enforced.
Law is a complex subject that can be broken down into a number of different categories. Civil law, for example, covers issues such as contract law, property law and tort law (which deals with damages caused by negligence). Criminal law includes the fields of homicide, murder, larceny, fraud and terrorism. Labour law covers the tripartite relationship between employer, employee and trade unions and employment rights such as maternity leave, health and safety regulations and the right to strike. Criminal procedure law governs how a case is tried and the rules that must be followed when deciding on evidence for use in court.
The main function of law is to ensure that the rights and freedoms of citizens are respected. It does this by ensuring that those in positions of authority, such as police officers and government officials, adhere to the same laws as everyone else. This prevents them from discriminating against people or favouring certain groups over others, for example on the basis of race or religion.
It also ensures that those who have been harmed by the actions of someone else receive compensation. Tort law, for example, compensates victims for a variety of wrongs, such as injury to person or property and defamation. It may also include rules governing intellectual property, company and trust law. The law also provides a mechanism by which disputes over land are resolved. In a common law legal system, decisions by judges, known as the doctrine of precedent or stare decisis, are binding on lower courts and future judgements in the same area of law. This helps to ensure that the courts are following a consistent line of reasoning and not taking new and untested approaches to a particular case.
There are no empirical tests of the contents of law. Consequently, the debate over what should or shouldn’t be contained in law has continued throughout history. It is, however, important to note that a legal system cannot mandate behaviours that are impossible or force people to do things which go against their nature. It also must be fair, publicly accessible and stable and must ensure that all citizens are treated equally.
The law is a complex and fascinating subject with many facets that are constantly evolving. However, in a nutshell, the law is what makes sure that we live in a safe and peaceful world and allows us to work together. Moreover, the law enables us to achieve our goals in life by providing a clear and well-publicised framework for decision making and conflict resolution. As the world around us becomes more interconnected and our society evolves, so too does the law.