Law is a system of rules that governs behavior and ensures that a society adheres to a set of standards. These may be imposed by a government through legislation, resulting in statutes, by the executive through decrees and regulations or established by judges through precedent (commonly known as common law jurisdictions). Laws can also be made by private individuals who create legal contracts or arbitration agreements. In addition, laws can be created at the international level through treaties.
Oxford Reference offers over 34,000 concise definitions and in-depth, specialist encyclopedic entries on the law as it exists in different countries and communities. This includes a wide variety of legal systems, such as civil law and common law, criminal law, and business law. It covers key concepts, processes and procedures, as well as the major debates in legal theory.
The law shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways, acting as a mediator of relations between people. It is a central part of the human experience, reflecting the values and beliefs of a particular culture. A broad range of topics are covered, including international law, taxation, social security, human rights, and family law. This extensive collection is designed to meet the needs of academic, corporate and general users alike.
This approach views law as a social phenomenon, which can be understood through empirical, scientific evaluation. It contrasts with theories of natural law, which focus on the influence of factors such as nature, logic, ethics and religion on legal judgments.
A key feature of the law is that it is continually changing and evolving. This is due to both social and economic pressures, changes in the environment, technological advancements and the need to address specific problems such as crime. In addition, the law is a highly complex concept that cannot be understood in isolation.
Law is a vast and diverse subject, covering everything from crime to business agreements. In this article, we will take a look at some of the key terms and issues that are involved in law, such as counterclaims, arraignment and the right to a fair trial.