Law is a set of rules created by a state that provides a framework to ensure a peaceful society. A government can enforce the laws by imposing sanctions on individuals who break them. The concept of law is fundamental to many countries around the world, affecting politics, economics and history in different ways. It also reflects the relationship between government and citizens.

It is difficult to give a precise definition of law, as the meaning varies across legal systems and people. However, a key principle is that the law is binding on everyone. This is a crucial aspect of the rule of law, which means that all members of a society are held accountable to the laws and can expect fair and impartial justice in the courts.

The purpose of law is to protect the lives, freedoms and property of its citizens and promote social justice. Different legal systems serve these functions in different ways. For example, an authoritarian government may keep the peace and maintain the status quo but could oppress minorities or its political opponents. A democracy, on the other hand, can serve these purposes by providing a clear system of rules that is publicly accessible and stable, and by guaranteeing core human rights as well as contract and procedural rights.

Various areas of law cover specific parts of human life and activity, such as labour law and civil procedure, which deal with the rules that govern how courts hold trials and hearings. Banking law covers the regulations that must be followed by banks, and environmental laws cover the use of land, water, air and energy resources.