The law is a set of rules that govern human relationships and activities. It has a wide range of applications and serves a number of purposes: to keep peace, to preserve the status quo, to protect minorities from majority rule, to provide social justice, to encourage healthy development, and to mediate relations among people. Different legal systems have different purposes, and the law shapes politics, economics, history, and society in many ways. There are different definitions of law, and debates rage on about what it is or should be.
A person who knows the law can make better decisions, especially when faced with uncertainty. Lawyers (or jurists) are experts in the law and have a deep understanding of how it works. Lawyers have the professional responsibility to uphold and promote the law.
Law is a system of rules created and enforced by a government to ensure that members of an organized jural society live harmoniously together and follow accepted standards of behaviour. A legal system is usually backed by a constitution and has a structure of courts, including a supreme court, that resolve disputes and determines whether someone charged with breaking the law is guilty or not.
People may break the law through their actions or inaction, and the consequences can be severe. For example, if a person drives while drunk, they are likely to be involved in an accident and may be found guilty of breaking the law. In some places, this is punishable by fines, imprisonment, or removal of the driver’s licence. Other consequences of breaking the law can include damage to property, loss of employment, and public disrepute.
There are a number of different areas of law, such as labour, criminal, civil, and family law. Labour law covers the tripartite industrial relationship between worker, employer and trade union, and includes issues such as workplace health and safety regulations, the right to strike, and minimum wage laws. Criminal law is the area of law that deals with offences against the state or other public authorities, such as murder, fraud and terrorism. Civil law is the branch of law that covers private disputes, such as divorce or property dispute, and the courts have rules about how to deal with them.
Almost all countries have a system of courts to decide legal cases. The highest courts may have the power to overturn or remove laws that are considered unconstitutional. Judicial systems vary, but most have a system of appeals and a process where the judge, jury, or judge-jury decides the facts of the case and finds guilt or innocence in a criminal trial. Tort law covers compensation for damage caused by a person to another’s property or personal injury, such as car accidents or defamation of character. Property law outlines the rights and obligations that people have when buying or selling homes and land, and also covers issues like inheritance. There are also fields of law covering intellectual property, telecommunications and water regulation.