Law is the set of rules that govern human relationships, commerce, governance and individual rights. It permeates every aspect of modern society in many different fields and is constantly evolving as our societies change and our values evolve. The study of law involves exploring these deeper dimensions to a complex framework that is at once simple and yet incredibly complicated.
The term “law” is often used to refer to a particular field of law or legal practice, such as the practice of criminal law or corporate law. However, it is also a more general term that describes the system of laws in a given geographic area, such as a country or state. In this sense, to say murder is against the law means that it is illegal in that region of the world.
It is generally agreed that a good law must be clear, publicized, stable and enforced evenly. It must protect individual rights, including contract and property rights. It must provide for a fair trial and ensure that the courts are accessible to citizens. It must allow the judiciary to adjust the law to new circumstances and social changes through creative jurisprudence. It must reflect the views and needs of the community.
A number of questions arise in the context of the law, such as whether the spirit of a law should be considered as important as its wording. For example, some people believe that a law that is morally wrong is not really a law at all if it has been created by a sovereign ruler and enforced with the force of government, such as a tyrant like Hitler or Saddam Hussein who tortured and killed millions of their enemies. Others, however, argue that laws are only valid if they are based on reason and morality and are not simply a reflection of power.
In addition to the traditional fields of law, there are other areas such as public international law which concerns the rights of countries and their citizens to freedom, peace, security and prosperity. There is also family law which covers marriage and divorce proceedings and the rights of children to parents. There is also immigration law and nationality law which concerns the right of a person to live in a foreign country or acquire citizenship. There is even transactional law which encompasses the laws of business and money, and biolaw which focuses on the interaction between the law and life sciences.
Writing articles on the law requires a wide variety of skills and styles. It is important to stay current on the latest developments in the legal field, and this can often be achieved through commenting on recent legislative changes or by providing a critique of these changes. It is also helpful to write articles in a style that is easily understandable by the lay reader, with minimal use of technical terms and jargon. A useful test is to imagine reading your article to a non-lawyer, such as a parent or an uncle: if they can understand it then you are on the right track.