Law is the set of rules and guidelines for society that regulate human behavior, establish standards, and resolve disputes. The law governs areas such as crime, business, social relationships, property, finance and other aspects of human life. Individuals who violate the law can be subject to sanctions or punishment.
A law can be written or unwritten, formal or informal, and it can be enforced by a central authority or through the courts. It may cover the entire country or a limited territory. The purpose of a law is to promote order, stability, and justice in a society. It can also protect the freedoms and rights of individuals, preserve minorities against majorities, and allow for orderly social change.
Some scholars have defined law based on the utilitarian principle that it is “commands, backed by threat of sanctions, from a sovereign to whom people have a habit of obedience.” Other philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau have argued that a legal system should reflect a moral code innate in humans.
A law can be organized in a variety of ways, depending on the country or area of interest. Civil law, for example, covers contracts and other transactions, while criminal law deals with offenses against a state. Labour law focuses on the relationship between workers, employers and trade unions; immigration law and nationality law address issues of citizenship and the right to asylum; and tort law involves claims for compensation when someone is injured or their property damaged.