Law is a body of rules that governs human conduct, enforced by a control system such as a government. Law covers a broad range of activities, from the rules that dictate what you can and cannot do in public to the rules that regulate business transactions or define the rights and duties of people with respect to tangible property.

It is difficult to give a precise definition of law as legal systems vary and different individuals hold many diverse views about the subject. However, most agree that there are four main purposes of law: establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberties and rights.

A key aspect of this is the Rule of Law, which emphasises freedom and a commitment to fairness and equality in society. This requires that all laws must be publicly promulgated and equally enforced, be based on reason and not on personal preference or favouritism and be consistent with international legal principles and human rights.

This is a particularly important principle as it helps to ensure that all citizens are treated fairly and with equal dignity. It also encourages a spirit of cooperation between the various branches of government and ensures that decisions are made in the interests of the community as a whole.

In the modern world of nation-states (or as they are known in international law, countries), this involves determining who has the political power to make and enforce laws. This is a complex matter as there are often powerful groups or factions within the country who can exert influence over government and this makes it very difficult for democracy to thrive in some parts of the world.

While there is much debate about what the Rule of Law should look like, most scholars agree that it must include adherence to the supremacy of law, equal application and enforcement, separation of powers, participation in decision-making and avoidance of arbitrariness. It is also essential that the law be transparent and easily accessible to all.

The laws that govern people’s daily lives are called civil laws and encompass fields such as contract law (which regulates agreements to exchange goods or services) and tort law (which deals with damages resulting from accidents). Criminal laws, which deal with offences against the state or its citizens, are covered by areas such as criminal procedure and evidence law (which determines what materials can be used in court).

Another area of law is administrative law, which covers how governments manage their finances and run their institutions. Examples of administrative law include water, energy and telecoms regulation. Lastly, constitutional law defines the basic structure of the country and the rights of its citizens. This is a very large field as it covers issues such as civil liberties, human rights and the status of women. It also relates to international relations and matters such as immigration, asylum and refugee policy.