Law is a set of rules that governs the conduct of people within a society.

It is a system of rules made by governments to regulate human behaviour for the maintenance of peace and order in the society. It provides rights to its citizens and imposes duties on them.

This defines the principles that are applied to individuals and are enforced by courts in deciding disputes. It also ensures procedural equality for all participants in a society.

1. The term law is derived from the Latin word, legia, which means a written document or a rule.

2. A statute is an act of the legislature or a body of laws passed by the legislature.

3. A decree, edict, or ordinance is a legal instrument issued by an executive, such as a king, or emperor.

4. Civil law deals with the rights of individuals and their legal effects; such as contract, torts, property, marriage, inheritance etc.

5. Criminal law deals with crime and punishments.

6. Public law is a collection of rules that regulate the relationship between a state and its people and the activities of organizations (businesses).

7. International law: These are rules of the intercourse of nations or states.

Laws are formulated by different bodies like the President and the Parliament, and are enforced through the courts. The law can be in the form of a statute, an edict, a regulation or a court ruling. The Constitution of a country, acts of parliament, other legislations, international agreements, customary laws and other sources can be used to formulate the law of the land.