Law is a set of rules that governs the conduct of people, as well as social institutions, such as governments and businesses. Law varies from one country to another, depending on the makeup of the nation, its culture, history, and its political structure. In most cases, law is administered by government officials, but there are also cases where private actors play an important role.

There are three main types of laws: state-enforced, regulation, and contracts. State-enforced laws are created by a legislator or executive. Some common law jurisdictions make decisions on state-enforced laws by judicial decision, but most are made by the executive.

Regulation deals with the provision of public services and utilities. The regulation of business includes antitrust law. It is based on the concept of restraint of trade doctrine.

Contracts are legal arrangements between two parties. They can involve agreements on movable property, or a negotiated right to use a movable property. Examples of these are real property, intellectual property, and personal property. Property is divided into tangible and intangible forms, with the former including land, houses, cars, and homes, as well as things attached to the land.

Law can be used as a framework for social change. If someone is abused by government, or if a minority is oppressed by an authoritarian regime, the law can help protect them. Moreover, it can serve to keep order in a society, ensure human rights, and preserve property rights.

Laws also shape the economics of a society. They can affect everything from taxes to investment. For example, competition law, which derives from antitrust statutes of the turn of the 20th century, controls businesses that distort market prices. Similarly, consumer protection is another area where the law can influence business.

The United Nations Charter calls on the Organization to promote the progressive development of international law and to settle international disputes. The International Court of Justice is the United Nations’ primary dispute settlement organ. Since its creation in 1946, the Court has issued over 170 judgments and advisory opinions.

Legal issues often arise unexpectedly. They can be caused by problems at work, or from a sudden event. Depending on the circumstances, a person may need to hire a lawyer.

Depending on the kind of law in place, the consequences for breaking it can be quite different. In general, however, the rule of law should be equitable and fair. People should be free from the abuse of power, and the law should be accessible to everyone.

The legal system is a set of rules and procedures that regulate the conduct of individuals and communities. There are several common legal issues, such as mortgages, debts, immigration, and family law. A variety of industries are regulated, such as telecomms, energy, water, and gas. Other industries that fall under the domain of regulation include banking, healthcare, and financial services.

The International Law Commission is an independent organization that is tasked with promoting the development of international law. It is composed of 34 members from the world’s major legal systems. These experts represent the views of different countries and provide guidance on matters of international law.