We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Civil

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Law?

Michael Anissimov
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 146,399
Share

Law is a system of rules a society sets to maintain order and protect harm to persons and property. Such systems are ancient, dating back at least to the Code of Hammurabi, written by an ancient Babylonian king around 1760 BC. Today, most countries have tens or hundreds of thousands of pages of laws. They are enforced by the police, supported by the court and prison systems. Laws are written by legislators, such as senators or congressmen. In America and many other countries, these rules must uphold and not contradict the Constitution, a document outlining the most basic rules of the country.

Aside from law being a set of rules, the word also refers to the profession practiced by lawyers, who either prosecute or defend a client from an accusation of violating the law. Becoming a lawyer requires attending law school and passing a bar exam. This entitles the lawyer to a license. Only lawyers with a license are allowed to practice.

There are many categories of law. These include contract, property, trust, tort, criminal, constitutional, administrative, and international. Each of these sets the rules for a distinct area of human activity. Without laws, there is lawlessness, which historically has led to a general breakdown in society, sometimes to the point of a near-standstill in the economy. Those that advocate the abolition of all laws are called anarchists.

Depending on one's political orientation, they will generally favor more or less law. At one end of the spectrum are libertarians, who advocate minimal rules or government intervention into the affairs of the public. At the other end are fascists, who seek to create laws regulating practically everything, generally under the assumption that a disciplined nation will be a powerful nation. Historically, most fascist governments have collapsed.

Share
MyLawQuestions is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Anissimov
By Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated MyLawQuestions contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism to his articles. An avid blogger, Michael is deeply passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. His professional experience includes work with the Methuselah Foundation, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and Lifeboat Foundation, further showcasing his commitment to scientific advancement.
Discussion Comments
By anon353421 — On Oct 30, 2013

Thanks for all the great advice. I told my friend I would help her find a family law lawyer and this is really good advice.

By anon168096 — On Apr 15, 2011

does the law change as other rules change in some societies?

By anon127270 — On Nov 15, 2010

Why there are some laws which society is against if law comes from society? --ann3

By anon122333 — On Oct 27, 2010

What is the difference between rules and law?

By anon122331 — On Oct 27, 2010

What do we do? In many of our countries today, law has been subjected to sociological connections of the highly placed, mostly in the government and the financially solvent instead of being subjected to true investigations and proof. What do we do? Chris D., Law student

By anon117421 — On Oct 10, 2010

Does a society need rules to maintain order?

By anon114497 — On Sep 28, 2010

Why do we need laws in society? What are the positive laws and natural laws?

By anon113470 — On Sep 24, 2010

what is the distinction/difference between law and morality?

By anon105799 — On Aug 22, 2010

Law is necessary because, as humans, we are basically untrustworthy to do the proper thing. We are incapable of balancing our own selfish needs with those of our society.

By anon104320 — On Aug 16, 2010

there is no law in the entire nation.

By anon86137 — On May 24, 2010

The law is made for man and not man for the law. But, I wonder why the highly placed in the society live above the law, and the law weighs down on the masses. I wonder!

Peter E. University of Port Harcourt.

By anon85295 — On May 19, 2010

The origin of law is from God setting the do's and don'ts. Rules and regulations to ensure the protection of life and property and to maintain orderliness.

Laws could only be passed by those in whom God imbued wisdom and understanding. King Solomon could be set as an example. Barrister Olumide I., Lagos Nigeria

By anon81131 — On Apr 30, 2010

is natural law not equivalent to eternal law/divine law?

By deadmeat — On Apr 07, 2010

we don't have laws, only forced state policies set to make judges and lawyers money. when a killer kills, it's the victims fault. when a women is raped it's her fault for the way she dresses, and when a car thief knocks down a child and kills the wee mite, it is not the car thief's fault, it's societies fault that he's got nothing to do.

It is not about justice for the victims -- it's about making money for the lawyers and judges. Most judges are out of touch with society.

By anon74265 — On Apr 01, 2010

Law is common sense which is understood only by those who posses sense.

a.khan

By anon72856 — On Mar 24, 2010

the concept of law simply means those principles that keep people from acting like they are living in the jungle or in a place with no rules.

By anon55812 — On Dec 09, 2009

what is the importance of law in the society?

By anon54684 — On Dec 01, 2009

how can law come from society when society is the one that abuses it? It's a simple case of correlation being mistaken for causation.

law comes from the individual.

By anon49834 — On Oct 23, 2009

would you agree that since law is found in almost all societies, law comes from the society?

By anon49258 — On Oct 19, 2009

my self i want to know more about the source of the law and how people maintain the rule of law in a third world country like Tanzania, and how this law helps people to get your rights. and how this law can benefit people to solve your problems facing people?

By anon44730 — On Sep 10, 2009

what is the relation of law with the society?

By anon42579 — On Aug 22, 2009

what is the role of law in the peace and prosperity of the nation?

By anon41894 — On Aug 18, 2009

1.How do other professionals depend on law?

2.What is the importance of law to other professionals?

By anon41586 — On Aug 16, 2009

Absolutely right. Without the knowledge of law a person loses his freedom. Because our constitution has given us certain rights and if we are not aware of those rights then we don't know what are our rights and we then lose confidence and think, "is this right. am i doing the right thing?" That's why for one's freedom, one should know and respect the law.

By anon38166 — On Jul 24, 2009

without the knowledge of law(s) a people loses their freedom? how?

By anon36829 — On Jul 15, 2009

There are only a few laws and a whole lot of statutes. Most of the times, the statutes do not hold up to the constitution.

International law is how business is conducted. It is also known as the law of the water. A part of why countries have currency, or why countries run on currents.

We are under the law of the land.

Natural law is the only true law. In fact natural laws are almost always so powerful, that you can not successfully break them.

Majority of people live under laws that they have very little ideal about.

Without the knowledge of law(s), a people are easily manipulated. Some examples.... taxes, motor vehicle, family, and so many others, mislead people into free giving up their rights.

So why there are laws, they are actually only put there to protect the rights and freedoms of the citizens.

Laws today in their form, do exactly opposite of protecting freedoms and rights, and in fact do more of protecting law makers and handlers.

Without the knowledge of law(s), a people looses their freedom. Without freedom, you're only liberated.-- lssr

By anon36503 — On Jul 13, 2009

when is law valid and when it is invalid?

By anon31026 — On Apr 28, 2009

Law is an axe, having two edges. Confirm this statement and relate it to the contract law.

By aga — On Apr 16, 2009

1. What are the sources of law?

2. Discuss the major forms of justice.

By fejiro — On Feb 14, 2009

What is Natural Law?

By anon26055 — On Feb 07, 2009

what exactly law is has eluded jurists and philosophers alike and yet there can be no society without law.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated MyLawQuestions contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology,...
Learn more
Share
https://www.mylawquestions.com/what-is-law.htm
Copy this link
MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.