Law is a body of rules that regulates the behaviour of a community, usually enforced by means of penalties. It is distinct from mere suggestions or good advice, in that the former has a binding force and consequences while the latter is not. Laws can be applied to individuals or groups, and can be created by a central authority, such as the government, the military, or a private corporation. Laws cover a wide range of topics, from the right to own property to the rules that govern medical research. This article focuses on the societal role of law, and how it affects citizens of all backgrounds and socioeconomic status.

Different theories of law explain why some rules are considered valid, and others not. Hans Kelsen argued that laws are normative sciences, which are determined by the needs of society and must satisfy these wants. Other scholars, such as Roscoe Pound, saw law as a coercive instrument, which is used to control people by placing constraints on their freedoms and opportunities. These limits are put in place to ensure that people do what is right, and avoid doing what is wrong.

Other definitions of law focus on the nature and purpose of a particular rule. For example, John Austin defined it as “the aggregate set of rules laid down by a man in the capacity of sovereign to men as political subjects.” This theory is important to consider when assessing legal systems, since it allows for comparisons of different jurisdictions and countries.

Alternatively, the law could be defined as something that is created by a court of justice. This approach is often seen in civil rights cases, where a judge or jury decides what is and is not allowed under certain circumstances. This theory also makes it easier to assess the legitimacy of a given law.

The earliest recorded use of the word was before the 1000s, and it is believed to be derived from the Old Norse laga, which meant “laying order.” The meaning of law is therefore “a system of rules that keeps an ordered society in check,” and can be enforced by a central authority.

In modern times, the law has become a large field of study. Some areas include banking law, which defines minimum standards for the amount of capital a bank must hold, as well as rules about best practices in investment and debt financing. Other fields such as intellectual property, family law and labour law have specific subsets.

The language in articles about law tends to be more technical, and can take a position on controversial changes to legislation. This is especially true for areas that are more focused on the public sector, such as employment law and criminal law. In addition, these articles often have footnotes that explain the background to a specific rule. These articles are an important source of information for lawyers, and can be found in a variety of online and printed publications.