Law is a system of rules that a society or government establishes and enforces in order to manage social relations and deal with crime. Societal viewpoints on law reflect on ideas such as justice, morality, order and honesty. A precise definition of law has long been a subject of debate. For example, some people have argued that the law should include both written and unwritten rules, whilst others have claimed that it only applies to rules sanctioned by a centralized authority. Other debates have focused on whether the law should cover natural and human rights, or whether it should be based on religion.
Legal systems differ from country to country, with different traditions and cultures shaping the way in which the law is interpreted. The law may be based on a constitution, or it may be created through legislation, decrees and regulations. Governmental institutions and private individuals may also create laws and rules through contracts, agreements, and voluntary codes of conduct.
The law can be divided into a number of fields, with the most common being criminal, administrative, family, corporate, and contract law. Other important areas are taxation, business, international law, competition, and constitutional law.
Each field of law can be further subdivided into a range of specialties. For example, family law covers the relationship between a husband and wife, children and parents, and the division of property in the event of divorce. Criminal law includes the prosecution of crimes and the rights of a defendant. Commercial law includes the regulation of commerce, trade and industry. Consumer law aims to protect individual consumer interests. Competition law involves the prevention of businesses from abusing market power to distort prices or restrict supply, going back as far as Roman decrees against price fixing and the English restraint of trade laws.
Lawyers are a group of professionals who advise, defend or represent clients on legal issues. They are licensed to practice law by a governing body, and typically must pass an exam before being admitted to the bar. Other lawyers can work as in-house counsel for corporations or governmental bodies. In some countries, a degree of specialized training is required before practicing law, such as the British Solicitors’ Regulation Authority qualification. Lawyers can also specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal or civil law.