The Law is the set of rules established by social or governmental institutions that regulate behavior. It may be enforced by a sovereign, resulting in statutes; by an executive branch, resulting in regulations and decrees; or by judicial decision, resulting in precedent and common law. Laws can also be privately established by agreements, contracts, or arbitration awards. Laws serve a variety of purposes, such as establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes, and protecting liberties and rights.
Despite its complex and multifaceted nature, law is often defined simply as “a system of commands, backed by force or threat of sanction, issued by an authority to which people have a habit of obeying”. However, it is also viewed as a social institution with a wide range of functions and principles that go beyond purely coercive control.
Legal systems are broadly divided into civil, criminal, and common law. Civil law systems, which cover about 60% of the world, are based on principles and concepts developed from Roman law. They tend to be organized in codes with logical and dynamic taxonomies that facilitate adaptation to change, and emphasize cooperation and order.
Common law, which covers about 8% of the world, is based on English case law, and it has been further developed through constitutional law, administrative law, property law, and a wide range of other areas of law. Civil law and common law both provide legal structures for the resolution of disputes. They differ, however, in their reliance on judges rather than an executive or legislative body.
Both civil and common law systems have a variety of laws that deal with the environment, health, safety, family relationships, business, and property. They may also include regulations and a code of ethics.
A law is a body of principles that regulates a society’s activities and protects its citizens’ human rights. It is a fundamental element of a rule of law, which refers to the principle that government and private actors are subject to publicly disclosed legal codes and processes, and are accountable to the public. The rule of law provides a foundation for healthy communities of opportunity, peace, and freedom, and supports four universal principles: accountability; just law; open government; and accessible and impartial justice. The Penn State and Dickinson communities have a wide variety of resources to help students navigate this broad topic, including information about the different types of laws, who is responsible for them, and how jurisdictions influence their publication. These materials can be accessed from the Law Guide.
