Law is a system of rules and customs that are enforced by a controlling authority such as governmental or social institutions. The word can also be used to refer to the legal profession or legal field. Law reflects societal viewpoints on rationality, justice, morality, order, and honesty.
The definition of law is difficult to define because different societies have various views on what the law should be. Some of the most common views include the following:
A law is a set of rules that governs human conduct and ensures peace in society. These rules are typically created by the state and can be enforced with sanctions such as fines or imprisonment. Laws may cover a broad range of topics, from a criminal statute prohibiting murder to the rules of a courtroom.
Legal scholars have written numerous books discussing the concept of law and presenting various theories and definitions of law. Some of the most important definitions of law include:
Some writers, such as John Austin, argue that the law consists of “commands, backed by the threat of sanction, from a sovereign to subjects.” Others, such as Bentham and Rousseau, advocate that the law reflects underlying moral principles of nature.
Other scholars, such as Roscoe Pound, define law in terms of its social role. Pound argues that the purpose of law is to satisfy certain social wants, such as keeping the peace, maintaining the status quo, and protecting minorities against majorities.
Regardless of the definition of law, all laws share some similarities. For example, all laws have an intended effect on human behavior and can be enforced by the judicial branch of government. They also consist of a series of legal procedures such as discovery, trial, appeal, and record.
A lawyer is someone who practices law, advises clients on legal issues, and represents plaintiffs or defendants in civil and criminal cases. Lawyers can be found in the private sector, in government, and in non-governmental organizations such as nonprofit groups. Some lawyers focus on specific types of law such as corporate or environmental law.
There are many fields of law, including civil, administrative, criminal, and international law. Each of these areas includes subfields such as contract, property, tort, and family law. For example, contract law governs agreements that exchange goods or services, such as a bus ticket and a stock trade; property law defines the rights and duties of owners and occupiers of tangible (physical) and intangible property, such as houses and cars. Another field of law is jurisprudence, which studies the structure and development of laws. The study of law is often combined with other disciplines such as economics, history, and sociology. Law also influences people’s daily lives in a variety of ways, for example through employment law and consumer protection.