The term Law refers to a set of rules that are created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate and it has been described as a science and as the art of justice. Law is a fundamental part of any society and it can serve numerous purposes such as setting standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes, and protecting liberty and rights. It is important to note that there are different types of Law depending on the specific societal context.
Laws can be created by legislative groups, resulting in statutes; by executive decrees and regulations; or through judicial decisions, resulting in case law. Additionally, private individuals can create their own legally binding contracts.
A common definition of law is a system of rules that defines certain activities as permissible or forbidden and that are used to resolve disputes. The Law can also be used to establish the responsibilities of people toward each other and their possessions. In general, a legal system is made up of several parts including civil and criminal laws.
Some countries, like the United States, employ a common law system where decisions by judges are considered Law and on equal footing with legislative statutes. This principle is known as stare decisis and it ensures that a judge’s ruling will be followed by future courts dealing with similar cases. In contrast, other countries, such as Japan, employ a civil law system where decisions are explicitly written down and are not subject to individual interpretation.