Law is a set of rules that regulates the actions of individuals and groups, enforced by a central authority such as a government or social institution. It covers a vast range of activities including civil and criminal justice, the military, and business transactions. Societal viewpoints on Law reflect values of rationality, justice and order. Judges, who interpret and apply the Law, focus on establishing clarity, consistency, fairness and accessibility for all citizens.
The word “law” comes from the Old Norse word lgr, which means to lay an order or fix a tune. It also can refer to any strong rule that an authority sets and insists is binding on the members of a society or group. It can even include behavior that a person might do instinctively or spontaneously as a way of protecting oneself or others, such as attempting to save someone from danger.
There are a wide variety of laws in existence covering a huge number of fields, with each country and community establishing its own specific law system. These can be broadly divided into three types: civil, criminal, and international.
Civil law is the dominant legal tradition in the world, covering 60% of the population. It consists of concepts, categories, and rules that are derived from Roman law and canon law, often supplemented or modified by local custom and culture.
The field of law is diverse and includes everything from tort law, which compensates people for damages caused by another person’s action (such as automobile accidents or defamation), to constitutional law, which protects our basic liberties. Family law is the area of law that relates to couples and their relationships; immigration law covers the legal status of foreigners entering the country; criminal law encompasses offenses against the state or local community, and may involve capital punishment; and the laws of contract, property, and taxation are related to individual and commercial affairs.
Aside from these specific areas of the law, there is an extensive body of common law that governs most situations. This legal system is based on the idea that court decisions and precedent are as valid as legislative statutes, a practice known as stare decisis.
The Law is an intellectually challenging and rewarding career for those who are interested in analyzing complex ethical, philosophical, and moral issues. Law professionals can choose to work in many different fields, such as private practice, the public sector, and corporations. Lawyers must be able to communicate effectively with clients, and the profession is heavily dependent on research, writing and analytical skills. Law is a complex subject, but it is one that continues to be an essential part of all societies. The law is the foundation that allows governments to function. It establishes standards, maintains order, and resolves disputes, all of which are vital to human civilization. Law is a powerful force, but it also can be abused. The question of how far power should extend to ordinary citizens is a key issue in the modern world.