Law is the body of rules, customs and practices that govern a given social group. These rules are generally enforced by a controlling authority. There are several different types of laws: criminal, civil, constitutional, canon and religious. A person who studies law is called a lawyer. Some lawyers have special titles, such as Esquire to signify a lawyer of greater dignity, or Doctor of Law (LLD) to indicate that they have obtained a PhD in law.

A legal system typically consists of legislative statutes and judicial decisions that regulate parties’ rights, expectations and duties, the measure of damages in case of breach and how disputes are resolved. Judges often make decisions based on precedent, meaning that previous cases set a standard by which future similar cases will be judged. The most common legal systems in the world are civil and common law, whereas some countries have religious or customary law.

There are also various types of law based on specific subject matters, such as contract law, property law, tort law and administrative law. These areas of law are shaped by a country’s culture, history and relationship to the rest of the world.

Besides legal concepts and principles, law also comprises rules of procedure, evidence and interpretation. These rules are designed to protect the rights of individuals and businesses, as well as prevent fraud and other illegal activity. They can include regulations on unfair contractual terms, price fixing, and airline baggage policies.

Many countries have a distinct law tradition, with some traditions dating back centuries. For example, India has a long legal history with ancient Indian texts such as the Arthashastra and Manusmriti. China has a distinctively Confucian legal tradition, while Japan has an East Asian civil law tradition.

Law has an enormous influence on society, affecting how businesses operate and how governments manage their affairs. In addition, law shapes the way people interact with each other and how societies evolve. It is therefore important to understand the nature and development of law.