Law is an area of practice that entails the study of and the application of rules, regulations, codes and practices. It is an expansive discipline, which encompasses many different aspects of society including property law, contract law, criminal law, tort law and administrative law. Law is a social construct that is often the result of collective agreement. It is therefore a dynamic field that is constantly changing and evolving. New law is a concept that many legal firms are exploring as part of their strategy to provide innovative services. This type of practice involves a variety of techniques and focuses on finding ways to benefit clients.
Laws are established by a government, either at the local, state or national level. These laws set the terms and conditions under which citizens must operate within a given jurisdiction. They can also regulate the way in which businesses may conduct business. For example, business laws dictate what sort of signage or advertising is allowed on the streets.
The purpose of a law is to protect individual rights and liberties by defining what behaviour is acceptable in society. It is the basis of a system of civil and criminal justice, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of individuals. The nature of law changes over time, as new challenges arise and existing laws need to be amended. The development of modern laws reflects the need for the protection and maintenance of civil liberties and human rights.
A key challenge is deciding what defines a law. Utilitarian lawyers such as Jeremy Bentham define a law as a command, backed by the threat of sanctions, from a sovereign, which people have a habit of obeying. This definition excludes moral considerations, however, and is criticised for not incorporating morality into the definition of a law. Natural lawyers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau argue that a law must reflect the natural, unchangeable laws of nature. This idea is now referred to as natural law theory.
The United States federal government makes laws through a process known as the legislative branch, which is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislation that becomes a law is called a bill. Bills are proposed by members of Congress or may be recommended by constituents or citizen groups. Once a bill is introduced, it will be reviewed by a committee. If the committee approves a bill, it will be sent to the President for signature.