Law is a collection of rules that control human behavior and keep societal order. It encompasses a diverse set of precepts that cover the rights and freedoms of individuals, including their liberty, privacy, property and property, as well as their interaction with one another. It also regulates the actions of government agencies and the way these interact with private citizens. It is a vital tool in the pursuit of justice, balancing morality, reason and honesty from both judicial and societal viewpoints. Law is a complex subject, shaped by social history and culture, and it changes throughout the world in response to changing political landscapes, cultural beliefs and societal needs.
The law varies from nation to nation and is dependent on the people that hold the power to create and enforce it. In many cases, the political landscape is volatile, with revolts against existing authority occurring each year and the aspiration for democracy or greater rights for citizens persisting in many countries. In the absence of stable governments, laws may fail to serve their primary functions, and some legal systems do not even contain the essential components of a democratic government:
While most legal subjects are based on the premise that the government holds a position of superiority over individual citizens, this view is disputed by some scholars. Hans Kelsen, for example, proposed the ‘pure theory of law’ which states that the law does not describe what must occur but rather defines certain rules to follow. This definition is sometimes referred to as a normative science.
There are numerous sub-fields in law, including labour law, which is the study of a tripartite industrial relationship between worker, employer and trade union; constitutional law, which addresses the rights encoded within a constitution; and evidence law, which covers which materials will be admissible to courts during a trial or hearing. Other specialised fields include international law, which focuses on issues that transcend national limitations, and maritime law, which encompasses the rules and regulations governing vessels and the safety of navigation.
The practice of law is a regulated profession and requires special qualifications, including a legal education that culminates in either a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Legal Studies or a Juris Doctor degree. The specialised knowledge required to practice the law varies between legal systems and is determined by the body that governs the profession in each country. Some jurisdictions, such as the United States, have a professional regulatory agency such as the bar association or law society that is responsible for overseeing the training of lawyers and the practice of law in each state. Legal education is usually conducted in universities and colleges, with some countries also offering specialized law schools or institutes. Law has a significant impact on the economy and business, as it provides guidance for negotiating contracts and transactions as well as identifying liabilities and risks. It is also important for ensuring that companies comply with environmental standards and that employees are safe at work.
