Law is the set of rules that govern behavior and are enforced by governmental and social institutions. Although its exact definition is contested, it can be regarded as a science or art of justice. In its most basic form, law regulates the conduct of individuals, groups, and organizations. Its purpose is to make life easier and safer for everyone.

Laws are created by governments. Citizens are required to comply with these laws or face consequences such as jail time. Laws can be general or specific in scope. For example, if you say that murder is against the law, it means that it is illegal in a specific geographical area. It can also refer to a body of rules that govern a specific industry.

A legal system also reflects the political and social conditions of a country. There are hundreds of legal systems around the world. International law, which is created by the practice of sovereign states, is an important part of international relations. There are also transnational entities such as the United Nations, which have their own legal structures. The United Nations has over 180 member states, many of which are federal and have their own laws.

The United States legal system has been in existence for over two centuries, and has become the model for many other countries. This has resulted in a wide variety of laws that have developed over time. These laws are generally composed of four sources.