Law is the system of rules a society or nation recognizes as regulating its members’ actions. It includes both statutory law (i.e., passed by legislatures) and custom and policies that are enforceable through judicial decision. Law is studied in law schools, which prepare people to become lawyers and judges.
Some of the purposes of law are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes, and protecting liberties and rights. In addition, laws can establish the penalties for violating those rules. Examples of this include contract law, capital offenses, and property law.
A person or group that enforces the law is a government or other agency, such as the police or military. The term law also refers to the practice of law, which is the profession of advising others about legal issues and representing them in court.
Lawyers, who are trained in law school, are a vital part of the legal system. Other professionals in the legal system include law clerks, who assist judges with research and drafting opinions, and librarians, who meet the informational needs of judges and lawyers. A lawsuit is a legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant. The plaintiff claims that the defendant violated a legal duty, and the judge rules on whether the plaintiff has a valid claim. A person who has been found guilty of breaking the law is a convicted criminal. The penalty for breaking the law can range from fines to imprisonment and death.