Law is a system of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions in order to control behavior and promote stability and justice. The precise definition of law is a matter of longstanding debate, but the principal purposes of the legal system are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes, and protecting people’s liberties and rights.
There are many different types of law, and each type is important for a functioning society. Criminal law deals with crimes and the punishments for them, while civil law deals with the contracts that people make with each other and the things that they own. The law also makes sure that government officials and police officers carry out their duties fairly and impartially.
The law is usually written in books called “Notes” or “Comments” and published in law journals. The authors of these works are students at the time they write them. Generally, they read previous student Notes to become familiar with the style and writing quality that they must achieve to compete with their peers. Law Review articles, on the other hand, are often authored by non-students, such as professors or subject-matter experts. These articles are more like academic papers and less accessible to the general public than Notes or Comments. However, they are still a very valuable source of legal scholarship. A strong rule of law is crucial to achieving international peace and security, political stability and economic development; to providing people with access to public services; curbing corruption; and restraining the abuse of power.
