Law is a system of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and as the art of justice.
Legal experts have identified several types of law, such as administrative law; criminal law; family law; civil rights law; property law; and tax law. The most important function of law, however, is to protect individual rights and provide order in society.
Most societies, and many corporations and nonprofits, are governed by law. The laws that govern them range from contracts, to real estate, to the sale and purchase of stock. In addition, laws set standards for behavior that are enforceable by the courts. These include the prohibition of discrimination and the requirement that people act honestly.
There are also laws that pertain to business, such as bankruptcy law and employment law. These help to ensure that transactions are conducted fairly and that all parties are treated equally. Criminal laws, on the other hand, are meant to punish people who commit crimes. These may be as minor as stealing an apple from a neighbor’s tree to more serious offenses, such as murder or arson.
The study of law has many facets and is a fascinating subject. One area of focus is the legal history of countries and the development of their judicial systems. Another is the history of the law and literature, which explores legal issues in novels, poems, speeches, and other writings. Still other areas of interest include the ethics of law and the philosophy of law.
Many laws are in place to prevent wrongdoing, but they must be interpreted and applied correctly to be effective. A judge’s interpretation of a law is often guided by legal precedents that have already been decided upon in similar cases. This process is known as “stare decisis.” Whether these precedents are outdated or biased, they can shape the criteria a jury uses to decide a case.
Other laws are created by governmental bodies to protect specific interests, such as the safety of passengers or the health of livestock. These laws are usually based on scientific research, such as that of Boyle’s law, which states that the volume of an ideal gas increases with pressure and decreases with temperature. The law is also found in nature, as when the force of gravity pulls two objects together. However, these natural laws can change under different circumstances, such as if the two objects shrank to subatomic size or if they moved into a magnetic field. The LSU Law Center is named in honor of Paul M. Hebert, who served as Dean of the Law School from 1937 to 1977. He expanded and guided the research and study assets of the law school, making it a world leader in its field. He also established a distinguished record of scholarship and service in the field of international law.