Law is the discipline that governs human relationships and behavior. It is a system of rules that are enforced by governmental institutions. Among its key functions are protecting individual rights, maintaining peace in a nation and providing orderly social change.
There are several legal systems, including common law, civil law, statutory law and regulatory law. They each serve a different purpose. For example, civil law systems are less detailed and require less judicial decisions. However, they still include judicial decisions, which can be cited as precedents.
Some legal systems are also based on religious principles. Examples are Islamic Sharia and Jewish Halakha. The Quran acts as a source of further law through reasoning by analogy and consensus.
Laws may be made by a single legislature or by a group of legislators. Statutes can be created through an executive decree, a previous precedent or a legislative act.
Legal issues often arise from unexpected events. These can include a dispute over money or a family matter. A person can hire a lawyer to help them resolve the issue.
Legal issues can also be created by planned events. Such issues include problems at work, issues with money, and housing. People can also create legally binding contracts for themselves or others.
Usually, lawyers must pass a qualifying examination in their field of study to gain a professional identity. They typically earn a Bachelor of Civil Law or a Master of Legal Studies degree. In addition, they must also possess a Juris Doctor degree.