Law is the set of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate human behavior. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate, but it includes the idea that laws are publicly promulgated and widely disseminated, with penalties for transgressions. Law also includes a judicial system, with courts that hear cases and issue rulings on them. Legal systems are influenced by the cultural context in which they exist, with influences from ancient cultures such as China and India, as well as more modern ones like the British common law tradition, which was adopted by many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Laws can be based on social or religious precepts, and may be enforceable by state authorities. Government-enforced laws can be made by a group or individual legislature, producing statutes; by the executive, resulting in decrees and regulations; or by judges through the doctrine of stare decisis, which holds that past court decisions should guide future decisions in similar cases. Private individuals can create legally binding contracts and other agreements, such as arbitration agreements that adopt alternative ways of resolving disputes to standard court litigation.
A fundamental principle of law is that it should protect against arbitrary action by the state, and allow people to predict what the consequences of their actions will be in advance. This is sometimes referred to as “the rule of law,” or the “law of liberty.” It is a key part of a democratic society, where citizens have access to the law through a system of public justice.
While a democracy can be a fragile concept, the principles of the rule of law are important for the stability of a country. This includes ensuring that laws are transparent and accessible to all citizens, and that the government maintains a balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of the larger society. The rule of law should also ensure that individuals are treated fairly, regardless of their wealth or status in the social hierarchy.
For a more detailed discussion of the role and importance of law, see civil rights; criminal law; economic justice; international law; legal aid; the legal profession; legal education; and law, philosophy of. For an analysis of the relationship between law and political structures, see constitution; censorship; crime and punishment; and law and power.
Law is a complex field that spans a variety of different areas of human life. For example, contract law covers the exchange of goods and services; property law covers a person’s rights and duties toward tangible and intangible assets, such as buildings and cars; administrative law deals with government agencies, such as courts and tax collectors; biolaw is concerned with the intersection of law and the biosciences; and tort law addresses claims for negligence and injury. In addition, there are many special laws that deal with specific activities, such as zoning ordinances and environmental law. For more information, see the articles on these topics.