What Is Law?

What Is Law?

Law is a set of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behaviour. Its precise definition is a matter of long-standing debate. Some writers have argued that it covers any set of guidelines and rules that can be enforced by a controlling authority, such as a social institution or government agency. Other writers, such as Max Weber, have reshaped thinking on the nature of law by emphasising its role in a society’s governance.

In practice, laws cover many areas of human activity and life. They can relate to the activities of a person’s job, such as health and safety regulations or working time limits; the rights of an individual, such as their right to privacy or freedom of expression; or the responsibilities of a family, such as parental responsibilities or child maintenance laws. Laws can also be applied to the activities of an organisation, such as employment contracts or data protection legislation.

Laws may be created and enforceable by a group or individual legislature, leading to statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; or established by judges through precedent. Private individuals can also create legally binding contracts, such as those relating to property, marriage or divorce. There are also specific laws covering various areas of business, such as labour law (dealing with the tripartite relationship between worker, employer and trade unions) or criminal law, which deals with offences against a citizen, including murder and robbery. There is also a specialised field of law known as administrative or regulatory law, which involves the processes and rules by which courts and governments operate.

The study of law is very broad, encompassing many disciplines such as philosophy, politics, sociology, history and economics. It is a subject of great interest to students and researchers, as well as being an important component of a democratic society. A key concept of legal studies is the rule of law, which states that all people, whether they be politicians, businesspeople or members of the public, are subject to the same publicly disclosed rules and procedures in their day-to-day lives. This prevents the Hobbesian war of all against all from arising and allows for reasonable confidence in legal consequences.

Those who are interested in studying law can find a wealth of resources online, as well as at their local libraries. The Penn State Law Library provides access to numerous law databases, including the full text of a wide range of international and US law journals. Using these databases can help students gain a deeper understanding of law and its applications. Having access to quality research materials is vital for a successful legal career and can provide the tools needed to achieve success in law school, as well as throughout a person’s professional life. It is also useful for the average person who wants to understand the complexities of the legal system and its relationship to society. For example, the following article is a great resource for anyone who is wondering about pregnancy and parental responsibilities, containing answers to frequently asked questions in an easy-to-understand format that includes references to relevant legislation.