What Is Law?

A set of rules enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior and to enforce rights. Law shapes politics, economics, history and society in a myriad of ways. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate and it has been described as a science and an art.

One of the most important principles governing law is that it must be objective, not subjective. Objective means that a rule must be clearly defined and understood by the people to whom it applies. Subjective, on the other hand, refers to the fact that a rule can be interpreted and applied in different ways by judges.

It is the job of a judge to interpret a rule and apply it in a fair and impartial way. This is why it is so important that a judge be competent and honest. Judges must be educated, and have experience and knowledge of the law to be effective. Judges should also be free from bias and political, religious or other influences.

Blackstone argued that the law of the land was made up of the decisions of judges in previous cases and that those judgments were binding upon judges in future cases. This is called the common law system and it is the type of law that exists in the United States. It is different from civil law jurisdictions which have a written code that judges must follow.

Another important principle governing law is that it must be permanent as to time, uniform as to persons and universal as to places. The law must also be unchanging in its application to all persons, and it is not good to show partiality in the administration of justice. The Bible teaches that “thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous” (Proverbs 24:17).

Law is used by people to resolve disputes and ensure that society is orderly. It serves many purposes, but the four principal ones are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberty and rights. Laws can also help keep the peace, maintain the status quo and promote social change. However, these goals are achieved more effectively by some legal systems than others. For example, an authoritarian government may keep the peace and maintain the status quo but it can also oppress minorities and prevent social change.

When writing an article about Law it is important to remember that your audience will consist of a wide range of people, from students and lawyers to laypeople. It is best to avoid jargon and use simple language so that all readers can understand your article. Also, it is important to keep your article short. Readers will lose interest if it is too long. Be sure to write a good title and provide useful and accurate information that will help the reader. Then, you can be confident that your article will be read and understood.