Law is the body of rules that governs a society. It serves many purposes, such as establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberties and rights.
Criminal laws are designed to protect individuals from being harmed physically, such as by theft or murder. Contract and property laws are designed to regulate the sale of goods and services between people, groups and businesses.
Evidence law involves which materials can be used in court to build a case. It also concerns whether people can appeal their cases if the court does not follow the law properly.
Courts use lawyers to help them understand and interpret the law. They also have a chief judge, who decides cases and oversees the court’s administration.
Appeals are requests made after a trial to have another court decide whether the trial was fair or not. They can be made by the plaintiff or the defendant, and both parties can have their cases heard by the appellate court.
Common law refers to a type of legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on court decisions rather than statutes passed by the legislature.
The Hohfeldian form of rights is a norm that determines what a right-holder may do (claim-right), can do (power-right) or cannot do (immunity-right). Some Hohfeldian forms are active, while others are passive.