Law is a set of rules, which are enforceable by social institutions. It deals with business contracts, crime, and justice.
Legal theory is a study of the way people and law relate. Its study can include the philosophy of language, which can be used to understand how laws are made, interpreted, and enforced.
Historically, the concepts of law and natural law were first introduced in ancient Greek philosophy. They later re-entered mainstream culture through the writings of Thomas Aquinas.
Some scholars also consider law to be a science. While it can be defined in a number of ways, it is usually understood as a set of rules regulating human behavior.
Law is generally divided into three categories: legislative, judicial, and civil law. Legislative systems are regulated by governments and include statutes and judicial decisions. The judicial system is supervised by an independent regulatory body. Civil law legal systems are governed by courts and are often more informal.
In practice, the term “law” is a broad category that covers a range of issues, from the criminal justice system to family and immigration law. Common legal issues include immigration, housing, consumer rights, and debt.
When you hear the term law, you are likely to think of the judicial system, a complex network of courts that interpret and enforce the law. However, laws can also be created by the individual, through a legal contract or an arbitration agreement.
In common law jurisdictions, the legal process is overseen by an independent regulating body, such as the Bar Professional Training Course. Higher academic degrees are required to qualify as a lawyer, including a Bachelor of Laws, a Juris Doctor, or a Master of Legal Studies.