Law is a system of rules and principles that governs human behavior in a society. It helps in the cooperation between people, avoids any conflict of interest and also helps in solving them. Hans Kelsen who proposed the ‘pure theory of law’ states that it is the ‘normative science’ which defines the standards and rules, people have to follow.

The most basic purpose of law is to establish standards, maintain order, resolve disputes and protect rights and liberties. But it is difficult to guarantee that all laws are fair or equitable, especially in nations with a large population and complex social problems.

In most countries, the constitution and law provide a framework for how government should function. In the United States, for example, all governmental officers pledge to uphold the Constitution and the rights encoded in it, even though they have considerable discretion over their own actions.

The various branches of law differ, but they generally encompass the following areas: labour law covers the tripartite relationship between employer, employee and trade unions; property law deals with a person’s right to own or use things such as homes, cars and jewellery; criminal law deals with offences against a state, whether it be larceny, murder, fraud, or defamation; tort law covers compensation when someone is harmed in some way, for instance by being injured in an accident or having their reputation harmed through false information. Modern lawyers achieve distinct professional identity through specified legal procedures and undergo a rigorous education before being allowed to practice, usually resulting in the award of a Bachelor of Laws (BCL) or a Juris Doctor degree.