What Is Law?
Law is an umbrella term for any system of rules that governs the way people and societies interact. In the modern age, there are many different legal systems, all of which have their own distinct characteristics and purposes.
In general, law can serve to keep the peace and maintain the status quo in a nation, protect individual rights, promote social justice, and provide for orderly social change. Some legal systems do a better job than others in serving these purposes, however.
Various types of law are present throughout the world and have developed over time, each with its own history. Some of these are rooted in religion, while others are more secular and are developed by human reason.
Religious laws are usually based on religious precepts, which may be derived from scripture or a tradition within a particular religion. These are often elaborated and interpreted through religious jurisprudence, which is a body of literature that seeks to explain the law and interpret its application.
Civil law is a system of rules and principles that governs the behavior of people, institutions, and businesses. It is a logical and dynamic system of law that emphasizes cooperation, order, and predictability. It is generally organized into codes and written down, allowing the law to be easily understood by all citizens and jurists alike.
Property law deals with the ownership and possession of land, buildings, and other physical things. The basic forms of ownership are title (rights to a specific piece of land) and right in rem (right to a specific thing). Other kinds of property law deal with intellectual property, company law, and trusts.
Criminal law concerns crimes such as murder, robbery, and assault. It also covers the legal defenses available to criminal defendants, such as self-defense and preemption.
The judicial system is the body of public officials that decides whether or not a crime has been committed and if so, how it should be punished. In the United States, this process is regulated by the Supreme Court and by Congress.
Judicial processes can include trial, appeal, and settlement. In some cases, the court can even decide a case without a jury.
A court can also issue a stay or a stipulation, or refer a matter to arbitration. In addition, there are many different legal documents that can be filed in a court.
Some of these are legal pleadings, which contain the evidence a plaintiff must produce in order to win a lawsuit. Others are legal papers, such as subpoenas and affidavits.
In some countries, the legal process can take as long as six years. This is because the court may need to assemble evidence and prepare a trial.
Legal syllogism, analogy, and argumentative theories are used in the process of legal reasoning, which is deciding what the law means. This is often referred to as legal interpretation or construing the law.
In the United States, a Bill becomes law after it has been approved by the President and then passed by two thirds of the House of Representatives. It then is sent to the Senate for approval.