Law is a system of rules and regulations established by human beings that command what is right and prohibit what is wrong. In addition to laws governing human behaviour, there are also legal systems that regulate business activities, establish the rights of property owners, and govern the relationship between the state and individual citizens. Jeremy Bentham asserted that there were four different types of law: natural law, the laws of God, the laws of man, and the laws of reason.
The main function of law is to ensure justice. This can be distributive justice, aimed at making sure everyone gets their fair share of social benefits, or corrective justice, aimed at addressing inequalities and injustices. Other functions of law include maintaining order, preserving the status quo, and regulating social change. However, some legal systems are better at achieving these objectives than others. For example, authoritarian governments can keep the peace and maintain the status quo, but they may oppress minorities or political opponents.
To be legally sound, a law must be clear, concise, and unambiguous. It must also be enforced fairly and consistently, without bias or discrimination. A law that violates one of these principles is called a legal defect and can be remedied by court action.
Legal rules are compiled into codes or statutes to create the body of law that a country applies to its citizens. The United States Code, for example, is a compilation of most public laws in force today, organized by subject matter and with cross-references for ease of use. Legal experts often refer to this collection of laws as “the law”.
Other parts of the legal system include:
In addition to statutes and codes, a law can be interpreted through precedents or decisions made by previous courts. Such a decision is known as case law, and it helps judges decide how to apply existing laws in a particular situation. A judge’s instructions to a jury in a trial are another source of law that influences the outcome of a case. Another source of law is the constitution or other fundamental documents that define the rights and responsibilities of people in a society. In the legal profession, law is also used to refer to the entire field of advising people about laws, representing them in court, and presiding over trials. The study of systems of law is a career path that is increasingly appealing to young people. However, a career in the law can be very demanding and requires a lot of time studying. It is also a very competitive field. Law degrees are not always easy to obtain, and many graduates struggle to find employment in the law industry. As a result, lawyers must work hard to stay on top of their game in order to remain competitive and to make money. Many people, therefore, choose not to pursue careers in the law. This can lead to a shortage of legal professionals, particularly in areas like family law and criminal law.