Law is a set of rules that governs social institutions. It is enforceable by governmental or judicial bodies. The term may be applied to public, private, or international law.
The concept of “natural law” emerged in ancient Greek philosophy. It was later reintroduced into mainstream culture through the writings of Thomas Aquinas.
In the 20th century, utilitarian theories remained dominant in law. However, Max Weber’s work changed the way we thought about the extension of the state.
In modern times, legal systems differ greatly from their past counterparts. There are four major groups: common law, civil law, mixed law, and religious law. Each of these legal systems has its own particular characteristics.
Common law legal systems are characterized by the doctrine of precedent. This means that decisions of higher courts will generally bind lower courts. These legal systems also have a strong tradition of argumentative theory.
Civil law legal systems are shorter and require less detail in judicial decisions. They also tend to be more standardized.
Modern lawyers have different qualifications, including a Bachelor of Laws or a Master of Legal Studies. They must pass a qualifying examination before they can practice law.
One of the most important aspects of the legal profession is access to justice. The law library can be a valuable resource. Some county law libraries have online services. If you are looking for a specific case, it may be a good idea to visit the Sacramento County Public Law Library or the Shepard’s Online guide.