Law is the system of rules that govern a community or society. It covers a wide range of fields, including social, economic, and moral laws.
Legal systems vary significantly, ranging from common law, which is found worldwide to the civil code of Europe. In each case, the legal rules have a specific effect on individual behaviour and can be interpreted and enforced by courts.
There are several branches of law: tort law, which deals with disputes between individuals; criminal law, which provides for punishment of offenses against the community; and family law, which focuses on matters of inheritance, divorce, and children’s rights. In addition, the law regulates certain aspects of business and money, including contract law, property law, and administrative law.
Depending on the jurisdiction, law can be a complex, detailed, and sometimes obscure body of laws and rules. It is a source of both justice and power, although in some cases it can also create social inequality.
The basic principles of law are often defined by precedent. This means that courts must follow decisions of higher courts. This is called “stare decisis.” The concept is particularly strong in “common law” legal systems, which have their origins in the era of Magna Carta and the English system of constitutional law.
In contrast, civil law systems (also known as continental or Romano-Germanic systems) are based on concepts, categories, and rules derived from the Roman Empire and have been influenced by local custom and culture. They are the most prevalent in Europe and North America, but they have been embraced by other regions, as well.
There are four principal purposes of law, namely to establish standards; maintain order; resolve disputes; and protect liberties and rights. As a result, legal rules are constantly evolving to address new needs and to adjust to changes in the social environment.