Generally speaking, law is a set of rules that govern human behavior. These rules are enforced by social institutions. They are also enforced by governmental institutions. The precise definition of law is a matter of debate.
Modern legal systems have many common features. They are influenced by the concepts of civil law and the doctrine of precedent. The doctrine of precedent means that a decision by a court is binding on future decisions by the same court.
Civil law is a legal system that requires less detailed judicial decisions. It includes legislative statutes and judicial decisions.
Laws are influenced by the makeup of communities. Civil society is a term used to describe social institutions and communities. In modern societies, civil society includes partnerships, companies, and governmental institutions.
Generally, there are three categories of law. These include personal, civil, and commercial law. The legal profession is an important part of people’s access to justice.
Personal law covers rights to property and money. It also covers marriage and divorce. Family law includes the rights of children. Commercial law covers complex contract law. It is also known as antitrust law in the United States.
Civil law is the civilian legal system of continental Europe. It is generally shorter than common law systems and requires less detailed judicial decisions. In most OECD countries, the regulated industries are gas, telecomms, and water.
Commercial law is a subset of civil law. It includes the areas of property, business, and contract law.