Law is a system of rules that governs the behavior and relationships between individuals or communities, enforced by societal and governmental institutions. It permeates every aspect of society, influencing governance, commerce, family and individual rights. The precise definition of law is subject to debate, with societal viewpoints ranging from utilitarian theories such as John Austin’s to the notion that law reflects a moral and unchanging order of nature.
The law can take on many forms, reflecting the diverse social and cultural landscape of a nation-state. Generally speaking, laws are a product of the political process. The power to create and enforce laws lies with those that command military or political strength, with resulting differences in legal systems between nation-states. In some cases, revolts against existing laws have been successful, resulting in the creation of new states that operate under different political-legal regimes.
Laws may be created by a group legislature or by a single legislator, resulting in statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; by judges through precedent (usually in common law jurisdictions); or private individuals may establish legally binding contracts, which are then enforced by courts. Laws can be divided into procedural and substantive laws. Procedural laws include the rules that must be followed as a trial or appeal proceeds, while substantive law includes what is covered by a given statute, contract or other document.
Regardless of the type of law involved, it is essential that the law be fair and just. This requires that it be clear, publicized, stable and applied equally to all members of a community. It also ensures that minority opinions are heard by the courts, and that those who infringe upon the law are held accountable.
Oxford Reference provides trusted, comprehensive and authoritative content on all aspects of law, with more than 34,000 concise definitions and in-depth encyclopedic entries written by experts for researchers at every level. The website covers a wide range of topics, from criminal and tax law to international and family law, as well as major debates in legal theory. It also features a variety of tools to help you find what you need, including a search function, an A-Z list, glossary, chronology and charts. The website is continually being improved to add new material and reflect the latest developments in the field. For example, articles commenting on changes to legislation are now included where appropriate. These may include the language becoming more technical, and may take a position on controversial changes. The website also identifies and highlights significant case law from recent years, as well as links to other relevant websites.