The term national law refers to laws that are specific to a nation or country, such as criminal or business regulations. These laws are enforced by a government and override any local or state laws that conflict with them. They may also include constitutional laws that establish the structure of a nation, as well as laws that govern civil rights and liberties.

The law is a complex and fascinating subject, but it is also an area that often evokes heated debate. For example, many academic writers have argued that there is an emerging body of law that is independent of the laws of nation states and may govern commercial transactions without reference to geographic boundaries. These arguments are generally known as ‘a-national law’ or ‘new lex mercatoria’, and they have the potential to jeopardise the established dichotomy between national and international law.

National laws can take various forms, such as constitutional documents, statutes and codes. They may also include decisions of courts and administrative agencies. The United States has an exemplary set of federal laws, which include statutes that are periodically codified into the U.S. Code, decisions of the Supreme Court and regulations issued by federal administrative agencies.

Section 261 of the Education and Care Services National Law allows a Regulatory Authority to investigate an approved education and care service, if the authorised officer reasonably suspects that the service is not in compliance with this Law. An authorised officer must provide the Regulatory Authority with any information that is relevant to the investigation, including the name and address of the approved provider, as well as the occupier or person at the premises.