Throughout history, law has served as a mechanism to shape society. Laws are written or agreed upon rules that govern behavior, and they are enforceable by governmental institutions and social organizations. They provide orderly social change and protect individuals from majorities, and minorities against the majority. Law can also serve to keep peace in a country, protect against crime, and maintain the status quo.

Law can be divided into three categories: commercial, civil, and criminal. Commercial law covers property, contract, and consumer rights. It also includes tax law and banking law, which regulates corporate tax, value added tax, and the minimum capital requirements for banks. Similarly, civil law covers legal issues such as marriage, divorce, and family law. These issues include rights to children, money, and housing. Law can also regulate criminal acts, including theft, assault, and murder.

In addition to being enforceable by government and social organizations, law can be enforced by individuals or groups. It is the responsibility of a lawyer to apply the law in court, and is often overseen by a governmental entity or an independent regulating body. Law can also affect social relationships, such as contracts and business agreements. Law can also protect the environment and maintain peace within a country.

Despite being enforceable, laws do not always have to be obeyed. Laws may be repealed, amended, or overruled. Laws can also be interpreted in ways that affect future decisions. In addition, the legal system can have political influence on the creation of laws. In some legal systems, such as in the United States, a legislature has the authority to make laws. In other legal systems, such as in the United Kingdom, the court makes a decision for a case.

Legal issues can arise from unexpected situations, or planned events. They can also come from people, or from problems at work, in the family, or in planned events. Often, they require the help of a lawyer, who can assist in making an informed decision about the case. In these cases, the outcome of the case depends on how the court interprets the law.

The legal system also has the power to establish regulations, which are written rules by executive departments or agencies. These regulations are organized by subject, and are arranged in the Code of Federal Regulations. In the United States, the Code is organized into 50 titles, and individual acts are arranged in accordance with the subject of the law. Many of these laws are passed by the legislature or the President, and then enacted by the Congress.

Legal issues can also arise in unexpected situations, such as a person being charged with a crime, or an accident. These types of issues are sometimes referred to as “undisputed” evidence, and may involve a legal dispute between a party and another party. The outcome of a legal dispute depends on how the court interprets the law, and may include compensation for a loss.

Civil law refers to legal systems that apply less detailed judicial decisions. These systems are often shorter, and they include legislative statutes and judicial decisions. The legal system in continental Europe, for example, is called civil law.