Law is a system of rules created and enforced by a social or governmental institution to regulate the activities of members of that society. The precise nature of law is a subject of intense debate, and the study of it has been described as a science and as an art.
Law covers a wide variety of topics, including the rules and regulations governing employment, property and family life. It also relates to the responsibilities of government and public officials, and the rights and liberties of citizens. It is a core part of any democratic society, and it plays an important role in economics, history and culture in many countries around the world.
The law may be based on religious precepts, as in the Jewish Halakha and Islamic Sharia. However, most legal systems rely on further human elaboration to develop a detailed body of laws, incorporating interpretation, Qiyas (reasoning by analogy), Ijma (consensus) and precedent. In common law jurisdictions, decisions and rulings by courts are explicitly acknowledged as “law” on equal footing with legislative statutes and executive regulations. This principle, known as the doctrine of stare decisis or case law, binds lower courts to follow earlier decisions and rulings if they are to achieve consistent results.
Other areas of law include aviation and maritime law, constitutional law, family and labour law, international law, medical jurisprudence and tax law. Legal philosophy is concerned with the fundamental principles and theories governing the development of law. Philosophers and theorists debate the role of law in society and its relationship with ethics, morality, politics and religion.
Despite the importance of law in a functioning democracy, it is not without controversy and criticism. For example, some critics believe that the judicial process is too partisan, and that judges are too involved in politics to be impartial. Others argue that the purpose of a court is to judge the evidence presented and make a just decision, regardless of political motivations.
The purpose of the law is to ensure a safe and orderly society, to respect individual rights, and to protect citizens. It also aims to resolve disputes and conflicts, and to punish those who break the law. In some cases, people disagree over who owns something, for example a piece of land or a car. Instead of fighting, they turn to the law, which provides a way for them to resolve the dispute peacefully.
Those who work in the field of law have numerous career options, from teaching to advising on law, from defending criminals to drafting legislation and making judgments and sanctions. The study of law is becoming increasingly popular amongst young people, and careers in this area are highly sought after. There is a global shortage of qualified lawyers, and competition for positions in law schools has increased significantly. Many universities have expanded their law programs to meet demand. In the United States, for instance, the number of law students has risen by over 50% in the last ten years.