Law is a profession and discipline that deals with the rules that govern a community. These rules are enforced through a controlling authority. In many cases, laws are used in the process of resolving conflict and disputes. In other cases, they are used to provide the basis for legislation. Laws can be divided into three main categories: Civil law, Common law, and International law.
Rule of law
The Rule of Law is a set of ideals that should govern a political community. These ideals include democracy, human rights, social justice, and economic freedom. While some people believe that Rule of Law is a purely formal ideal, others maintain that it has a substantive dimension. In addition, some jurists say that the formal and procedural aspects of Rule of Law generate momentum towards a substantive direction. One of the key elements of Rule of Law is generality, which is often referred to as the germ of justice. Other aspects of Rule of Law include stability, publicity, and clarity.
Common law
Common law is a system of legal rules that governs the laws of a country or jurisdiction. In the United States, the common law system governs courts, as well as laws pertaining to certain areas, such as criminal law. In some areas, such as the United Kingdom, the common law system also governs marriage. A common-law marriage recognizes similar rights as a marriage license holder, but there are certain conditions that must be met before the marriage can be recognized as a valid union. The common-law system emphasizes precedent, but it also allows for some flexibility in interpretation and adaptation to new situations.
Civil law
Civil law is a system of law that originated in mainland Europe and has been adopted by most of the world. It is a system that intellectualizes the core principles of Roman law and codifies them into a referable system. It serves as the primary source of law.
International law
International law is the body of rules that govern relationships among countries. It is derived from three sources: treaties, customs, and general principles of law. Treaties are written agreements that bind states that sign them. This type of law has been around for thousands of years and is one of the most common sources of international law.
Military law
Military law is a legal system that regulates the behavior of active duty military personnel. Essentially, military law is a code of conduct.
Property law
Property law governs the ownership of both real and personal property. Property is any legally protected claim to resources, including intellectual property.
Rights of natural persons
Human beings have certain basic rights that are guaranteed to every human. These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights also include the right to marry, vote, and hold public office. These rights generally take effect when a natural person reaches a certain age. However, there are many exceptions to this rule. For example, in the U.S., a natural person must be at least 18 years old before they can vote or hold public office.
Judiciary independence
Judiciary independence in law is important because it ensures that judges will not be influenced by outside sources or by other judges. Independent judges are a source of confidence for litigants and the public. The absence of outside influences also protects judges from pressure from lobbying groups and personal interests.