Law is the system of rules and regulations established in a society by its government to govern people and activities. It is the department of knowledge concerned with these rules (also jurisprudence). Its aim is to keep peace, preserve the status quo and promote social justice. The law may do this in many ways including keeping public officials accountable and settling disputes between people. Law also provides a framework for business and for the provision of utilities like electricity, water, gas and telecoms. It is also the basis for civilisation, culture and religion.

The law is different from scientific theories and other disciplines in that it has a normative as well as descriptive character. It says what people ought to do, for example, not steal from others or tell lies. It is a complex phenomenon and it has been said that the law ‘defies definition’. This is because it combines elements of human and natural science, philosophy, theology, economics, sociology and political science.

In most nations the legal system is divided into two main types: civil law and common law. The former are based on laws enacted by legislatures and codified into books of statute; the latter rely on judge-made precedent and case law. There is also a third type of law which involves religious and spiritual traditions: Islamic Sharia law, for example. In addition to regulating the behaviour of people and businesses, it can also regulate the use of land, property rights and other resources.