Law is the system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crimes, business agreements and social relationships. It can also refer to the people who work in this system – lawyers and judges. The word is often used to describe a legal system, such as the one in Canada, that respects the rights of individuals and ensures that society is orderly.
A healthy legal system delivers four universal principles: accountability, justice, openness and trust. The Rule of Law, as defined by the World Justice Project, defines this as a durable system of laws and institutions, norms and community commitment that delivers these principles.
In democracies, the law ensures that politicians and other public servants obey the same rules as everyone else. This gives citizens confidence that if they are treated fairly they can expect the same treatment in return.
Those who violate the law can be punished by law enforcement officers and the courts. But the broader role of the law is to protect people and their property. For example, if two people claim the same piece of land it is up to the courts to decide who owns it.
The law can also help to maintain peace and prosperity. For example, if a man shouts obscenities and threatens someone with violence the person may be charged with an offence under the criminal law. The courts can then determine the appropriate punishment, such as a fine or jail sentence.
While laws can help to keep people safe and secure they cannot prevent them from disagreeing and sometimes fighting. If two people have a dispute about the ownership of land they can go to the court, where an impartial judge will decide who owns it. The law can also give guidance on how to settle a disagreement peacefully.
Many countries have different systems of law. The main groups are common law, civil law and customary law. The latter reflects longstanding local practices that greatly shape ideas of justice.
The systems of law vary from country to country and even within a single country, depending on political power and the social landscape. There are revolts against existing power every year, and the aspiration for greater “rights” for citizens is a major driver of lawmaking.
For instance, banking and financial regulation set minimum standards on the amount of capital banks must hold, while environmental protection sets penalties for polluters. Aviation law is framed by national civil aviation acts that are aligned with recommendations or mandatory standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation or ICAO. The law can also be influenced by the social and cultural context of a country, such as through religious or moral beliefs, or by the security situation. For example, a country may prohibit homosexual relations or ban the use of child labour. The law can also be shaped by popular sentiment, such as the demand for greater rights for women or a boycott of goods from companies that do business with Israel.