Law is the system of rules and regulations that governs a community, often enforced by a controlling authority through penalties. Laws can be anything from a recommendation (you should eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day) to a prohibition against stealing.
A legal system is considered to be “lawful” when it adheres to the principles of supremacy of the law, equality before the law, fairness in application and separation of powers. It is also considered to be lawful when it follows the norms and standards of international human rights standards.
The study of law encompasses the history and philosophy of legal systems, as well as the practice of law. The study of the history and philosophy of legal systems aims to understand how laws are created, what influences them and how they are adapted over time.
The practice of law covers the process of a legal case, including how a court functions and what evidence can be used in a trial. This includes both civil and criminal proceedings, as well as appeals. Other topics that are studied in the practice of law include: