Law

Definition:

1. Law: A legislative pronouncement of rules to guide one’s actions in society.
2. Law: The totality of those rules of conduct put in force by legislative authority or court decisions, or established by local custom.

Examples:

• Statutory Law: Laws created by legislative bodies, such as Congress or Parliament. For example, the Clean Air Act.
• Case Law: Laws established by the outcomes of former court cases. For example, the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
• Customary Law: Traditional laws derived from established local customs. For example, traditional hunting rights of indigenous tribes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the primary purpose of law?

   • The primary purpose of law is to maintain order, protect individual rights and properties, ensure justice, and provide a framework within which society operates.

2. What are the sources of law?

   • Sources of law include statutory law, common law (case law), customary law, and administrative regulations.

3. How is statutory law created?

   • Statutory law is created through the formal legislative process involving debates, voting, and sign-off by an executive authority.

4. What is the difference between civil law and criminal law?

   • Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or entities, while criminal law involves offenses against the state or public.

5. Can customary law be overridden by statutory law?

   • Yes, statutory law can override customary law if a legislatively enacted law explicitly contradicts a customary practice.

Related Terms with Definitions:

• Legislation: The process of enacting laws by the legislature.
• Regulation: Rules set by government agencies based on statutory law.
• Judiciary: The system of courts that interprets and applies the law in legal cases.
• Constitution: A fundamental set of principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed.
• Common Law: Law derived from judicial decisions instead of statutes.

Online References:

• Investopedia on Law
• Wikipedia on Law
• Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
• FindLaw

Suggested Books for Further Studies:

1. “Introduction to the Study of Law: Cases and Materials” by Christoper Muage, Elizabeth Arow.
2. “Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About American Law” by Jay M. Feinman.
3. “Legal Writing in Plain English: A Text with Exercises” by Bryan A. Garner.
4. “Administrative Law and Process” by Richard J. Pierce Jr.

Fundamentals of Law: Business Law Basics Quiz§

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