A system of rules enforced by the state to ensure a peaceful society, with sanctions against anyone who breaks those rules. Law consists of the enactment of legislation, the application of custom and policy by judges, and the enforcement of judicial decisions by the courts or by other means, such as criminal penalties. There is a wide range of different opinions about the meaning of law, and much debate has taken place. Some theories are utilitarian, such as John Austin’s definition, that law is “commands backed by threat of sanction from a sovereign, to whom people have a habit of obedience”. Others, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, argued that laws reflect the moral and unchangeable laws of nature.
There are many fields of law, covering everything from property to medical jurisprudence. For example, employment law covers the rights and duties of employers and employees. The law of torts allows compensation for damages caused to a person or their property by the actions of another. The law of property covers land ownership, mortgages, leases and property contracts and includes rules for registering property and defining a right in rem (right to a specific piece of real estate) versus a right in personam (the ability to get something back). Aviation law is the body of regulations that governs airplane flights, and these are generally aligned with recommendations or standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Legal systems differ from country to country, with the underlying philosophy often influenced by religion. For example, Islamic law and Jewish jurisprudence draw on traditional sources of religious and philosophical thought. The law is a fundamental part of the social order and serves several important functions, such as establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberties and rights.
In countries with a common law legal system, the decisions of the courts are acknowledged as laws on an equal footing with legislative statutes and executive regulations. This is known as the doctrine of stare decisis.
Lawyers are professionals trained to advise clients about legal issues and represent them in court. They must complete a law degree course and pass the bar examinations to qualify as a solicitor or barrister. They must follow a code of ethics to ensure their professionalism.
Articles about the law are published by a variety of publications, including newspapers, magazines and online. The content of these articles can range from a short description of the law to detailed commentary and analysis of recent changes to legislation. Legal articles can also be found in books, academic journals and textbooks. Some are written by practising lawyers, while others are written by scholars or journalists who specialise in the subject matter. These articles tend to use more technical language and may take a position on controversial changes to the law. Other articles are published by law firms or other organisations whose members have a particular interest in a topic, and these often include news, case studies and analysis of the latest developments in the field.