The Basics of Law
Law is the system of rules that governs a society and provides protection for people and their communities. It includes both civil laws and criminal law.
Legal systems serve several important functions in a nation and its people, primarily to keep the peace; maintain the status quo; preserve individual rights; protect minorities against majorities; promote social justice; and provide for orderly social change. A country’s legal system may also serve as a basis for international law.
The rule of law is a principle of governance that requires all persons, organizations and governments to treat everyone equally under the law and be held accountable for failing to do so. It also requires that the law be public, enforced, and independently adjudicated.
Power, Authority and Responsibility
In many countries, the government has the ultimate authority to make, enforce and interpret the laws of the country. It can make these rules by creating a constitution, enacting legislation or passing laws by decree or other means.
The creation of law can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the desires and needs of the people who create it, such as a need for security. It can also be influenced by historical events, such as revolutions and wars.
A lawyer is an expert in a field of law, especially the legal system of a particular nation or region. They advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court.
Professional identity in the profession of law is maintained by specified legal procedures, such as passing a qualifying examination, gaining a special qualification (e.g. a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor degree), and achieving a position in the profession by legal forms of appointment, such as being admitted to the bar.