The study of Law encompasses the rules that a particular community or nation recognizes as regulating the activities of its members. It is a huge subject, ranging from the criminal law to the laws of contracts and property. Moreover, the study of law requires an understanding of many other subjects, including history, philosophy and political science. In addition, there are debates about whether or not laws should be based on religion, the nature of human rights, and the meaning of justice.

The main functions of a law are to (1) keep the peace, (2) maintain the status quo and (3) preserve individual rights. Some legal systems are more effective than others at meeting these goals. For example, an authoritarian regime may successfully keep the peace but oppress minorities and restrict the free expression of its citizens. Alternatively, a democratic regime may promote social change but struggle to protect individual freedoms and liberties.

Some areas of law are broad and diverse, while others are specialized and relatively small. For example, contract law covers agreements to exchange goods and services. Property law relates to people’s rights and duties toward tangible objects or intangible property, such as money. Criminal law concerns punishments for crimes and includes procedural aspects such as how a case is tried or appealed.

Other areas of law are based on religious precepts or are explicit in their legal purpose, for example, Jewish Halakha and Islamic Sharia. These laws are interpreted by judges and scholars through the methods of Qiyas (reasoning by analogy), Ijma (consensus) and binding precedent.