Law is a system of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate. One view is that it is a means of social control, while another is that it serves the interests of society, and is coercive.
A variety of legal systems exist throughout the world, each reflecting different historical traditions and social structures. These differences can result in disparate outcomes for individuals, businesses and communities. In addition, there is great variance among nations in terms of the power to make and enforce laws. This variance can be explained in large part by the different political landscapes that exist in the world.
The field of law encompasses many subfields such as constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, corporate law, family law, estate planning, international law, maritime law, property law, prison law, tort law and the law of war. Lawyers specialize in one or more of these areas, and often choose to concentrate in a particular area of the law to develop expertise in that discipline.
Lawyers use their knowledge of the law to guide clients through complex legal issues and to represent clients in court. The practice of law is regulated by governments and independent governing bodies, such as a bar association or law society. Lawyers are required to undergo specific training before being admitted to the profession and must pass a rigorous bar examination. The law is also an intellectually stimulating subject with numerous branches of study and diverse perspectives.
Laws are the sets of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating its members’ actions. They may be made by a group legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive, resulting in decrees and regulations; or by judges through precedent, in common law jurisdictions. Private individuals may also create legally binding contracts and arbitration agreements that adopt alternative ways of resolving disputes to standard court litigation. The relationship of law to political structures is a complex issue, and is the subject of numerous articles, including constitution; ideology; party; and political system. Law’s role in social justice and other social issues is addressed in the articles on human rights; civil society; and legal ethics.