Law is the set of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior and compel compliance. It may be established by a group legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; or by judges through case precedent, in common law jurisdictions. Private individuals may also create legally binding contracts and arbitration agreements that replace traditional legal litigation. Law has a wide range of applications, from regulating air travel to providing medical advice. A career in the law is increasingly appealing to many young people.
The Law of the Land is a principle that refers to the degree to which the law in a given jurisdiction is clear, publicized, stable and applied equally. It also ensures human rights, property rights and core procedural rights for all citizens regardless of their social status, wealth or ability to influence the lawmaking process. It requires a transparent government that is accessible and provides justice within an adequate timeframe.
Laws are a means of social control, and they function to (1) keep the peace, (2) maintain the status quo, (3) protect minorities against majorities and (4) promote social justice and orderly change. However, the precise definition of “law” is contested and varies between different legal systems.
Generally, laws are considered to be enforceable, binding, and backed up by penalties. These penalties are typically financial or non-financial and can be either civil or criminal in nature. In addition, they can be imposed by the state or by society itself, and they can apply to a wide range of issues such as contract breaches, environmental violations and tax evasion.
The legal system is a complex and dynamic structure that has developed over centuries in response to a variety of social settings and disputes of power. It encompasses elements that are ancient, such as coroners’ courts, and others that are highly modern, such as electronic law reports and judges using laptop computers.
A person is said to have the law on their side if they are in the right, have a good argument or just want things to be fair. The opposite of the law is anarchy, a Hobbesian war of all against all, where no one can predict or plan for their future because of the uncertainty and unpredictability of what might happen next.
The Rule of Law is a principle that guarantees that governments, and the people they govern, are held accountable to laws that are clear, publicly promulgated, stable and applied equally, and that respect core human and property rights. It also requires checks on the exercise of government power, transparency and participation in decision-making, and protections against official arbitrariness. It is an essential condition for a well-run democracy.