The Law is a set of rules made by people in charge, which other people must obey. These rules usually have a punishment attached to breaking them, for example, stealing can lead to jail time or fines. Laws can be written down and enforced by a government or they can be unwritten customary practices. Some laws may be based on religious, moral, or social considerations. For example, the law against insider trading might reflect a concern for fairness, which is also a moral position against cruelty.
There are many different areas of law, such as contract, intellectual property, labour, tort, constitutional and family. Each of these has a very different purpose. For example, labour law might involve the rights and obligations of a tripartite industrial relationship between worker, employer and trade union, while tort law might address the issue of damages for personal injury caused by negligence or breach of duty. Constitutional law might deal with the power and role of the courts and the relationship between the state and its citizens.
Some philosophers have argued that the law has nothing to do with morality, and is simply a system of commands, backed by threats, from a sovereign ruler. This view is often called legal positivism. However, other philosophers have argued that the laws of a society must reflect moral values. This is sometimes called natural law or a philosophy of right and wrong. This was a view held by philosophers such as John Austin and Jeremy Bentham, although it has not been dominant since the 20th century.
The law shapes politics, economics, history and society in a variety of ways. It is also a medium for mediation of relations between individuals and between groups. The law influences culture and religion, and it also influences the development of science.
It is common for countries to have a mix of common law and civil law systems, with some legislation being enacted by parliament and the rest being decided by judges. It is also common for countries to have a number of courts that can appeal decisions, up to the highest court.
The legal profession has a wide range of careers, from solicitors and barristers to paralegals and support staff. There is also a significant amount of voluntary work carried out by lawyers in areas such as pro bono, where they provide free legal services to those who cannot afford to pay. Some lawyers also play an important role in educating the public about legal issues, by writing articles and books, appearing on television or radio, and providing advice to local community groups. In addition, some lawyers specialise in particular fields of law. For example, criminal law experts often appear on TV and radio to discuss recent changes to the legal system. This is a vital part of their job as they can help to inform the public about changes in the legal system that might affect them. This enables people to prepare for these changes and make informed choices about their legal options.