Law is a system of rules that a particular society recognizes as binding on its members. Its precise definition is a subject of long debate. Law is most commonly a set of rules made by a government that form the framework for a peaceful society and must be obeyed by all citizens. If a citizen breaks a law, they can be punished.
Some laws are enacted by a legislature, resulting in statutes; others are based on the articulation of legal principles in a historical succession of judicial decisions, known as common law; and some are imposed by executive decrees or regulations. There are also private laws, such as contracts, that are binding on individuals. There are also many branches of law, including criminal law; family law; international law; labour law; civil rights; and constitutional law.
The practice of law varies greatly around the world, and is heavily dependent on a country’s political and economic systems. For example, in the United States, federal laws supersede state laws in most areas, except for those that pertain to interstate or international issues. However, in some areas, such as aviation and railroad law, a limited number of federal statutes coexist with state laws.
A large part of the study of law involves analyzing the social and cultural contexts within which the law is created. A key question is whether laws reflect a specific morality or if they are simply a tool for controlling behaviour. This question has been analyzed through the work of philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Austin, who proposed utilitarian theories of the law.
The legal system is complex and reflects the social realities of the times. It has elements that are both ancient, such as the coroners’ courts, and modern, such as electronic law reports and judges using laptop computers. The law influences politics, economics and history in a variety of ways. It also serves as a mediator between people. It is an important area of academic inquiry and has spawned numerous journals and societies. Some of these are devoted to the history of law, while others focus on specific legal topics or debates. The Oxford Dictionary of Law contains over 34,000 concise, expert-level entries covering the major terms and concepts of this broad subject. Each entry is accompanied by a wealth of related content, such as case studies, charts and chronologies. It is written by trusted experts, and covers everything from statutory law and the organization of the legal system to major debates in legal theory. In addition, it contains extensive cross-references and a helpful glossary. The Dictionary of Law is available online and in print. It is an essential resource for students and researchers across a wide range of disciplines.