What Is Law?

Law is the system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime, business agreements and social relationships. It is enforced by mechanisms and, if broken, sanctions can be imposed. Depending on the context, the word can also be used to refer to the legal profession. This includes judges, lawyers and other professionals who give advice about laws or represent people in court.

There are many different kinds of laws. For example, contracts law regulates the exchange of goods or services, while criminal laws define what is considered a crime and how it can be punished. There are also laws that cover property, taxes and intellectual property.

The purpose of law is to establish standards, maintain order, resolve disputes and protect liberties and rights. This is done through a variety of ways, including legislative statutes, administrative regulations and judicial decisions. The latter are particularly important, as they can create binding precedents, which will ensure that similar cases reach the same outcome. In common law systems, judicial decisions are explicitly acknowledged as law, and they are given equal footing with legislative statutes and executive regulations.

It is often difficult to give a precise definition of law, as it is a complex and changing field. However, some key points can be made. The first is that there must be a system of rules and principles which is understandable and consistent to people, so they can plan their affairs with confidence that they will not break the law. This should prevent the Hobbesian war of all against all, in which individuals and groups act unchecked against each other. The law should also be reasonably stable, to allow planning over a long period of time.

Another aspect of law is that it must be fair. In practice, this can be difficult to achieve, but it is important for the rule of law. The rule of law requires that all members of a society are treated equally before the courts, and it prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation or other factors.

Finally, the law must be based on some authority. This can be a religious scripture, such as the Jewish Halakha or Islamic Shari’ah. Alternatively, it can be a secular text such as the United States Constitution or a set of principles established by a body such as the International Civil Aviation Organization. In these cases, the law is derived through interpretation, Qiyas (reasoning by analogy), Ijma (consensus) and precedent. The law is not a substitute for faith, but it can provide guidance and moral inspiration. It can also help to shape cultural values and create a sense of community. This is why so many people pursue a career in the law.