Law is a system of rules created to keep people in check and bind them to a specific way of life that promotes peace and discourages violence. People can be sanctioned for violating the law and, depending on their status in society, may face various types of punishments. The term is used to describe a wide variety of laws that regulate things such as business, banking, transport and the management of public utilities like water and energy.
Laws can be defined in many different ways and scholars have written countless books on the subject of what the law is. Some theories of the law emphasize a utilitarian approach, as argued by philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Others, like the French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau, argue that there is a natural law that is universal and inviolable.
Regardless of the philosophies, most definitions focus on the idea that there is some sort of set of rules to guide human actions. These rules are enforced by a government or other authority, and they must be fair and impartial. Laws must also be transparent, easily understandable by citizens, and updated to meet new social challenges through creative jurisprudence.
Generally, laws are divided into three categories: statutes (duly enacted or promulgated legislation), regulations and court decisions. Statutes and regulations are often drafted by legislative bodies, while judges (or adjudicators) make court decisions that are binding on future cases. Judges must interpret the law and make decisions based on what they believe to be the right thing to do.