Law is a set of rules a society or government creates to deal with crime, business agreements and social relationships. It may also refer to the people who work in this system of rules.

The precise definition of law is a longstanding subject of debate and the study of law has been variously described as a science and as an art. Regardless of the precise definition, most scholars agree that law is a set of practices and procedures by which societal or government institutions regulate human behavior. This system of rules may be written, unwritten, enacted or enforced. Laws are a source of scholarly inquiry and raise fundamental questions concerning equality, fairness and justice.

Laws can be derived from social custom, judicial precedent or legislative enactment. In the latter case laws are often formulated as detailed rules or codes that are then interpreted and applied by judges or other officials. The concept of law is a core component of our everyday lives. We rely on it to keep us safe, settle disputes and to conduct our daily activities. In many cases we are unaware of the role that law plays in our everyday life, but in other instances it is clear that we need it to function properly.

While laws are a crucial part of our lives, not everyone feels that they should be created or that the process by which they are created is just. Many people feel that the process of enacting laws is not transparent and that legislation is arbitrary. Others feel that a legal system should be more than just a collection of rules, but that it should take into account the needs and expectations of the people who are governed by these rules.

Aside from the arguments surrounding parliamentary process, there are several philosophical issues that can be raised about the nature of law. One of the most significant is the distinction between moral and logical law. Some philosophers argue that laws that are based on principles of morality or ideas of natural justice are more justified than other laws. In this view, a law that is justified by the principle of morality or the concept of natural justice cannot be violated and it should therefore be obeyed.

Whether or not there is such a thing as morally just law depends on a number of different factors. For example, a law that is justifiable by a philosophy of morality must not require behaviours that are impossible for human beings to achieve. This is because a law that is justifiable must be able to meet the needs of the people who are governed by it. The notion of justification is therefore a key issue in the development of any law.