Law is a system of rules created and enforced by a government to ensure a peaceful society. These laws protect citizens’ rights and ensure a fair trial. If the laws are broken, sanctions can be imposed. Laws can be made by legislatures resulting in statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; or established by judges, in common law jurisdictions, through precedent. Private individuals may also create legal contracts and arbitration agreements.
Legal systems differ greatly, and there are a number of different theories about what the precise definition of law is. The core concepts, however, are the same. In a modern state, laws are usually enacted by legislators and enforced by courts. Judges decide whether a person is guilty or innocent in criminal trials, and the judiciary oversees the constitutionality of laws (whether they are compatible with a country’s constitution).
Some scholars have suggested that the study of law should be seen as the study of power. A good law school teaches students how to think critically about the structure of power and the relationships between people, groups and nations. The law school curriculum should also include courses on how the law has evolved through history.
A legal career can be highly rewarding. Lawyers have the responsibility to serve the public by interpreting and applying the law to their clients’ situations, and must also be ready to stand up for the truth when they believe it is being violated. A lawyer’s duties can include advising clients on how to comply with the law, representing them in court and negotiating with other parties.
Other types of legal work include labour law, which covers the tripartite industrial relationship between worker, employer and trade union; evidence law, which deals with what can be presented to a court as proof; and tort law, which deals with compensation for harmed individuals or property. There are also many other fields of law, from the drafting and interpretation of contracts to taxation law.
Depending on the jurisdiction, some areas of law are more strictly regulated than others. For example, banking law sets minimum standards for the amount of capital banks must hold, and regulation can affect the provision of utilities like water, gas and electricity. Other areas of law deal with the environment, human rights and the security of information.