Law is a system of rules and standards that governs social behavior and imposes order in human society. It encompasses rules and regulations that are designed to protect people and property and enforce contracts, as well as to punish criminals. Law is also the source of a rich source of scholarly inquiry, including legal history, philosophy, economic analysis and sociology. In addition to its practical value, the study of law raises important and complex questions about equality, fairness and justice.

Legal systems vary widely from one country to another, but they all share some essential features. First, they establish who is in charge: that is, the people or groups that command political power. This control of the law is fundamental because it determines what laws are promulgated and enforced. It also determines what rights citizens have (whether the right to protest or the right to privacy, for example).

Even in the best-ordered societies, however, there are disagreements. The law allows these disagreements to be settled without violence through a process of dispute resolution. For instance, if two people claim ownership of the same piece of land, the courts can decide who is the owner by applying the law to the facts of the case.

Other legal systems are based on religious texts. The most famous of these is Islam, which is based on scriptures known as the Qur’an. It is a non-Western religion, but it has become increasingly influential. Unlike the Western legal systems, which are based on a concept of natural law, Islam lacks a clear and consistent body of law.

In modern law, there are also systems based on statutes and constitutions. These are typically viewed as more democratic than those based on custom or tradition. These include constitutional democracies, republics and federalism.

Laws govern a variety of activities, from crimes and business transactions to divorces and defamation cases. They also cover areas such as torts, copyright, patents and trademarks. In addition, they establish responsibilities of individuals and institutions and determine the boundaries of state sovereignty.

The earliest legal systems were based on custom, but they gradually became more standardized. During the Enlightenment, European nations began to build a more formal and rational legal system that would later be incorporated into the international system of law.

The practice of law is overseen by a government or independent regulating body such as a bar association or a law society. A lawyer has a distinct professional identity derived from the fact that they have met certain criteria, such as successfully passing a qualifying exam or having a specific academic qualification (e.g., a Bachelor of Laws or a Bachelor of Civil Law). They are also required to follow a code of ethics and to keep up with the latest developments in their field.