Law is the rules that govern society. Laws are enforced by social institutions such as courts and government agencies.
Articles on law describe the legal system and discuss the importance of the law to various social issues. They also delineate the relationship of the law to ideology and political structures.
Legal systems include civil law and statutory law. Legislative statutes are laws passed by the legislature. Statutes can either govern the nation or a community.
Laws are generally divided into oral and written forms. A person who practices law is called a lawyer. In modern times, lawyers must pass a qualifying examination to become a lawyer.
Legal systems also include religious laws. Some religions, such as the Christian church, have their own canon law. Others, such as the Muslim religion, have Islamic Shari’ah.
Law has also been called the art of justice. It can protect minorities against a majority and keep a nation’s peace.
Many governments, including the United States, have a judicial system. The judicial branch of the state is responsible for making laws and interpreting the laws. There are also several regulations issued by the government.
One of the most important factors to consider in determining the effectiveness of a legal system is the degree of accountability. Modern policing powers pose special challenges for accountability.
Those who are interested in pursuing a career in law should pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in law. This will help them gain a sense of professional identity.