Law is a field of study that focuses on how laws are made and enforced. Many people encounter legal issues throughout their lives. These problems can be related to a family situation, problems at work, or even being accused of a crime. Many common legal problems include immigration, debt, housing problems, and consumer rights. These issues are often complicated, but the government and courts often have helpful websites for the general public.
Law is generally defined as the body of rules that a society uses to regulate conduct. It also includes the discipline and profession of law. Generally, laws focus on community rules of conduct that are enforced by a controlling authority. These rules are usually found in a set of laws or a nation’s constitution.
The creation of law begins in the legislature of each country. State courts may decide to make or interpret a particular law. In some cases, state courts can even declare a law invalid. A good reference for the laws of a specific state is the Law Library of Congress’s guide to the laws in that state. Federal courts do not make laws, but they do interpret federal and state laws, and the Constitution.
Regulatory laws regulate public services and utilities. For example, water law regulates how water companies deliver their services to the public. Privatisation has taken many services from public control, but private companies have been subject to social responsibility laws. In most OECD countries, energy, gas, telecomms, and water are regulated industries.