Law is a set of rules and customs developed by a society that deals with crime, trade, relationships and property. These laws are enforced by a government or other governing body and they are followed by members of that society. These laws are interpreted by courts and they are used to determine whether something is legal or not. They are also used to make sure that the rights of all members of a society are protected.
There are many different theories of law and most theorists agree that law has a number of functions. One of the most common is that it keeps order in a society by making sure that all individuals comply with the rules and that punishments are given for those who do not obey. It is also a means of ensuring that the rights of individuals are respected by ensuring that all parties involved in a case receive a fair trial. Another function is that law can protect people from abuses of power such as the police, government officials and other individuals who have power over them.
A third function that law has is that it can provide a way of harmonizing conflicting groups in a society. For example, when a person takes something that belongs to someone else they can be prosecuted under civil law and their property can be confiscated for the benefit of the original owner. The final function that law has is that it provides a mechanism for resolving disputes between people by providing a neutral arbiter.