Law is the set of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate and it has been variously described as a science and as the art of justice.

Laws may be categorized in a number of ways, including by their subject matter and the method of enactment. A few broad areas of law include contract, property, criminal, constitutional, and tort laws. Contract law governs agreements that exchange goods and services, such as contracts for the sale of real estate or stocks. Property law defines people’s rights and duties toward their tangible possessions, such as land and vehicles. Criminal law covers a variety of actions, from simple misdemeanors to a capital offense (a crime punishable by death). Tort law is the law of damages for negligent or intentional acts that injure others.

There is also a law of evidence, which dictates how courts should decide cases based on the quality of the evidence. Judges must be impartial and not favor one side over the other, and they must base their decision on all the relevant facts.

The law is a powerful instrument for promoting social justice and stability, resolving disputes, and protecting liberties and rights. It influences politics, economics, history and society in countless ways. It is a key element in the rule of law, a concept that requires all persons and entities to be subject to the law, publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated.