Law is a system of rules that people develop and use to govern their relationships. It deals with crime, business agreements, social relations and other problems.
Definition
The legal system protects individuals’ rights and ensures that a society is orderly. It also helps to resolve conflicts and disputes peacefully.
Legal systems are usually divided into public and private.
Public law, which includes criminal and civil laws, is generally governed by governments.
Laws also regulate the activities of businesses, government agencies and other entities that provide goods or services to people in the community. This varies greatly from country to country, but some common areas include water law and regulation of energy and gas companies.
Commercial law is a specific area of law that covers complex contract and property rights. It includes a wide range of issues, such as contracts, agency law, trusts and bankruptcy.
Religious law reflects the beliefs of religious communities and is largely based on religion. This is often expressed in a set of canons, such as the Jewish Halakha or Islamic Sharia.
Interest theory is a way to look at whether claims, privileges, powers and immunities are in the service of a person’s interests. It explains why people have a right to certain things, such as a free press or a fair trial.