Law is a set of rules created by a government that form a framework to ensure a peaceful society. It is enforced by sanctions if it is broken or breached. There is debate over what exactly law is, and many books have been written with different ideas about its meaning and definition.
The main purposes of the law are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberties and rights. The precise nature of laws varies from country to country, as does the way in which they are enacted and applied. For example, political systems vary from democratic to authoritarian and the extent to which the law reflects moral values is a matter of contention.
Most countries have a constitution or other legal document that sets out the fundamental principles of the law. Those principles are usually based on the concepts of human dignity and the common good. In many nations, the constitution also provides guarantees for individual freedoms and protects against excessive power of governments or individuals.
Often, laws are created and interpreted by a judicial system. Judges and magistrates, who are called lawyers in the United States, decide cases that are brought to them, including criminal, civil and administrative trials. The judges and magistrates may also act as arbitrators in cases referred to them by other courts or tribunals.
In addition to courts, a wide variety of other governing bodies create and apply laws. For example, regulatory agencies may set minimum standards for industries such as banking or investment, while public service providers (e.g. water, electricity and gas) are bound by laws that regulate the services they provide. These laws may be created by a legislature, producing statutes; by an executive, leading to decrees and regulations; or established by judges through precedent, resulting in common law.
Private individuals may also make their own legal rules, which can be called “private law”. For example, a contract between two parties is subject to contract law, while a dispute between an employer and employee is generally settled through employment or labour law. Other examples of private law include property law, tort law and family law.
In modern times, a lawyer is usually required to have a legal qualification, such as a bachelor of laws or bachelor of civil law degree, and may also be authorised to practice by undergoing a period of training and study known as the bar professional training course. In some jurisdictions, the practice of law is regulated by a professional body, such as a law society or bar council.