Law is a system of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate human conduct. It can be enforced by mechanisms that can impose sanctions, such as fines or prison terms, when the rules are broken. The precise definition of law is the subject of debate, and differs depending on the specific context. It can also be viewed as a moral code, a science, or a combination of both.

The concept of law has been defined in many different ways, and scholars have written numerous books containing a variety of ideas about and definitions of law. One commonly accepted view is that it is a set of rules that form a framework to ensure a peaceful society. The precise nature of those rules is a matter of choice, and they can vary depending on the particular culture or society that is using them.

A legal article can be a document that sets out the terms of an agreement between two parties or can describe the process by which a court will make a decision on a case. Articles are usually used in the context of contracts or other legal documents. They can include provisions on the parties’ duties, expectations, measures of damages in cases of breach and how to resolve conflicts.

The term law can be applied to a variety of things, from the obscene and threatening telephone calls that are illegal in some countries to the laws on funding political parties. These laws are often designed to deal with crime and maintain order in society. They may also cover the rights of individuals in a country, such as the right to privacy or the right not to be discriminated against.

In some societies, the law is based on religious precepts. Examples of this include Jewish Halakha, Islamic Sharia and Christian canon law. In other societies, the law is based on a mix of legislation and custom. This is the most common way that laws are formulated in most modern countries.

Whether or not a rule is considered to be law depends on how rigid it is and whether it has been proven. A scientific law, such as the force of gravity between two objects, is generally thought to be a law because it is consistent and can be measured. It can, however, be altered by new research.

The concept of law is complicated, and it can vary significantly between countries and between groups within a country. This is largely due to the fact that there are so many different types of systems in place. Despite these differences, there are certain principles that are shared across the major legal traditions around the world. These are the principles of accountability, equality before the law, transparency and participation in decision making, avoidance of arbitrariness and procedural fairness. The rules that make up a law must be publicly promulgated and equally enforced. In addition, they must comply with international norms and standards.