Law is a system of rules and practices enforced by the state. It is a normative science, meaning it prescribes standards and imposes obligations that are binding on everyone. This makes it different from a descriptive or causal science such as the law of gravity, or a social science such as the theory of human rights.
The practice of law is a complex and diverse field with many aspects. Law covers all facets of people’s lives, from family law and property to criminal and civil procedure. Laws that cover particular fields are called specialised law or areas of law. For example, employment law covers the tripartite industrial relationship between employer, employee and trade union; tort law covers compensation for injuries or loss of a person’s property; maritime law addresses ships and shipping; and taxation law regulates the taxation of income and corporations.
The purpose of law is to keep order, maintain the status quo, resolve disputes and protect liberty and rights. This purpose is reflected in the different types of legal systems that have existed throughout history and today. For example, an authoritarian nation may keep the peace and maintain the status quo while oppressing minorities or political opponents. Some legal systems, however, have been shown to serve a more positive purpose by promoting social justice and allowing for orderly social change.