Law is an institution in a society that imposes rules that govern behavior. Governments and other social institutions enforce the law. The exact definition of law is subject to debate. Some have characterized law as a science, while others see it as the art of justice. Whatever the definition, it is an essential part of our society.
Rule of law
Though the idea of rule of law is an ancient one, its use and interpretation has grown in popularity over the past twenty-five years. For instance, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy has noted that he does not remember hearing the term “rule of law” during his law school days. In fact, he said he did not remember the term at all when he was studying in the 1950s!
Legal system
Legal systems are institutions that enforce the rights and duties of individuals and groups. The structure and substance of a legal system are also very important, as these elements help maintain order in society and resolve disputes. Moreover, they provide certain rights and protections to victims.
Property law
Property law governs the ownership of personal and real property. This is the body of law that governs the rights of people to resources and are often used to protect intellectual property.
Contract law
Contract law is the set of rules that govern agreements between parties. Its main goal is to give parties a legal framework in which they can enter into transactions without the interference of courts. While most contracts are self-regulating, the courts will occasionally intervene in a dispute if the parties involved abuse their bargaining power.
Military law
Military law refers to a legal system that governs the conduct of active-duty service personnel. There are several aspects of military law.
Civil law
Civil law is a system of laws that originated in mainland Europe and has been adopted by most of the world. It is an intellectualized system derived from Roman law that codifies core principles into a referable system that serves as the primary source of law.
International law
The development of international law is rooted in several historical factors. In the 15th century, Greek scholars in the Byzantine Empire contributed to the field, and the printing press sparked a new interest in humanism and science. This increased exploration of the world also spurred scholars to develop more sophisticated conceptual frameworks. In addition, the formation of centralized states such as France and Spain increased trade and wealth, which required more sophisticated rules of conduct.