Law is the set of practices and rules that regulate a society’s behavior and are enforced by control mechanisms like governmental institutions. It is often seen as a tool for social control and morality, with societal viewpoints on justice, reason, order, and honesty all contributing to its definition. Legally, it can be a system of statutes, regulations, rules, and customs, as well as legal rights and procedures. It may be created by a legislative body resulting in laws; by the executive via decrees and regulations; or through the courts through precedent under common law systems, with judges’ decisions binding lower courts under the doctrine of stare decisis. Law influences virtually all aspects of human civilization, affecting relationships, governance, commerce, and property.
The concept of law is complex and reflects different perspectives on human nature, society, and government. Philosophers have argued about the proper role of law in society and its fundamental nature. Some scholars see it as a tool for controlling human behavior, while others view it as reflecting unchanging natural processes. The latter perspective is embodied in the work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Aquinas. Modern law and the rule of law is a result of this philosophical debate, with the rule of law reflecting a balance between liberty and security.
While there is no one-size-fits-all definition of Law, it has been broadly defined as a set of rules established and enforced by a governing authority through punishments. It is also considered to be a system of rules that is applied consistently and fairly. A related idea is a system of laws that are universal and enforceable by all governments, including international treaties.
Various areas of law are covered by Oxford Reference, with articles written by experts to provide clear and concise definitions of terms and concepts, as well as in-depth, specialist encyclopedic entries on major fields of law. From administrative law to tax law, from family law to criminal law, and from civil rights to intellectual property law, Oxford Reference covers the full spectrum of Law.
For example, constitutional law covers the basic principles that govern a nation’s government, while criminal law describes all the legal steps involved in prosecuting someone for a crime. Labour law focuses on the tripartite industrial relationship between worker, employer and trade union, while civil procedure and evidence law address court practice and what kinds of materials are admissible for trials. Frequently asked questions cover topics such as police interrogation and Miranda warnings. Appeals law provides information on the process of asking a higher court to review the judgment of a lower court or tribunal. In some cases, an appellate court might hear the case en banc. This means the entire bench of the court will be present, rather than a usual panel. For example, this occurs with Supreme Court appeals in the United States.
