Law is a complex, multifaceted field that includes a wide variety of subjects and disciplines. In general, it consists of rules and regulations created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Law may be formally written and codified by legislatures, resulting in statutes and regulations, or may be created through the executive, resulting in decrees and administrative directives. It can also be shaped by judges through precedent, in common law jurisdictions, or by religious teachings such as Islamic Sharia.
The goals of law vary widely, but they usually include keeping the peace, maintaining the status quo, preserving individual rights, protecting minorities against majorities, promoting social justice and providing for orderly social change. Some legal systems are more effective than others at achieving these goals.
The study of Law encompasses a wide range of topics including criminal, immigration, tax and social security law, family and employment law as well as the major debates in legal theory. Oxford Reference offers authoritative, concise definitions and in-depth, specialist encyclopedic entries on all aspects of this vast subject. It is designed to provide accessible, up-to-date coverage of all key areas of Law, with entries authored by trusted experts at every level of scholarship. Oxford Reference is the perfect tool for students, researchers and anyone who needs to quickly and easily understand Law.