Law is the body of rules that governs human interactions with one another. There are laws of nature, such as the law of gravity, and there are societal or community laws, such as the law of the land. Most laws are enforced by a central authority. Some of them are ad hoc; others are systematic and codified. Examples of ad hoc laws include custom, tradition, or personal opinion. Examples of systematic laws are the legal system, criminal code, and constitution.
The main purposes of the law are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving conflict and preserving liberty and rights. Law also shapes politics, economics and history and is an important part of a society’s culture.
In nations, laws are largely determined by the political landscape. A sovereign’s power to make and enforce laws depends on his or her control of military and political forces, as well as the people. Some nations are ruled by tyrannical dictators who create arbitrary laws and then use them to suppress dissent. Other countries are governed by democracies, where the rule of law is a central part of the political and social landscape.
Most nations have a legal system that consists of statutes, case law, and convention. Statutes are formalized laws that are created by a legislative body, such as a parliament or national assembly. Case law consists of decisions made by judges based on previous cases, and it can be used as a guide to determine how other statutes should be interpreted. The judicial system is the foundation of legal systems worldwide, and the most famous cases are often known as “law lore.”
Conventions are a form of social contract, or agreement among people that regulates certain types of behaviors. Conventions may regulate marriage, property, or other societal activities. They can also set minimum standards for medical procedures and public education.
The “rule of law” refers to the idea that laws must be transparent and consistent, publicized, stable, and apply evenly across the population. A nation’s legal system must be capable of providing justice in a timely manner, and it must offer protection for individuals and the environment. The rule of law also implies that the legal system is unbiased and competent, and that representatives and neutrals are accessible to all citizens and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.
The word “law” is also a common word in English, and it’s frequently used in popular culture, such as in songs or movies. There are a number of idioms related to the law, including “to lay down the law,” which means to give an authoritative opinion or decision. Other idioms related to the law include “break the law” and “get away with it.” Legal terms and concepts are often defined in other articles, such as crime and punishment, constitutional law, and the judiciary. For a more general overview, see the article about the legal profession. For articles about individual types of law, see agency; air law; bankruptcy; carriage of goods; family law; international law; maritime law; and medical jurisprudence.