Law, in the broadest sense, is a system of rules that regulates social interactions. It shapes politics, economics and history in various ways and mediates relationships between people.
The law can be classified into several main areas of practice, each of which deals with one aspect of the law or its relationship to other fields. These include property law, immigration and nationality law, human rights, family law and social security.
Property laws govern ownership of land and other things, such as cars or computers. They divide property into real estate and personal property, which is movable items like jewellery and shares.
Intellectual property is another area of interest, covering copyright and patents, as well as trademarks. Other areas include company law and trusts.
Civil law concerns disputes between individuals, including issues involving divorce and children. It also covers the law of contracts, agencies and torts.
Criminal law covers crimes against a person or community. It can also include laws about terrorism and other national security matters.
There are many different legal theories and arguments that can be used to interpret the law, including legal syllogism, analogy and argumentative theory. These differ according to the legal system in which they are applied, and can be distinguished from statutory interpretation.
The most important aspect of the law is that it serves as a guide to the behaviour of individuals and groups. It therefore is crucial to understand how it works, so that you can use it correctly in your everyday life.