Law is the system of rules that a country or community recognises as regulating the behaviour of its citizens. These laws can be enforced by the courts, and people who break them can be fined or put in jail.

The word law is derived from the Hebrew language, and refers to the commands and regulations of the Mosaic covenant. In the New Testament, law often means the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Definitions of law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon

A law is an order from a sovereign authority that governs conduct or procedure in a society. It may be mandatory and require obedience by the members of that society or advisory and non-obligatory.

Usually, a law is recognized by a court of law when it is made. Sometimes, however, a court will not recognize a law when it is unclear what duties give it effect (e.g., MacCormick 1982: 163) or when it is conditioned on certain states of affairs such as the factual condition that the duty only vests once the relevant facts are satisfied (e.g., Raz 1970: 226).

Law is primarily a legislative system, yet leaves room for the judiciary to adjust its rules to social change and new needs by interpretation and creative jurisprudence. It is characterized by clear expression of rights and duties, and by accessibility to the citizen.