What Is Law?

Law is a fundamental component of human society, encompassing a system of rules and principles that govern behaviour, ensure order, and deliver justice. It is an essential framework that underpins societal interactions, providing mechanisms for resolving disputes, protecting rights, and promoting social welfare.

Law is a body of rules established and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate conduct within a community. These rules can be written, such as statutes and regulations, or unwritten, such as customary laws and judicial precedents.

Law is not merely a set of arbitrary commands; it embodies the principles and values of a society, aiming to achieve order, fairness, and justice. By dictating what is permissible and what is not, law shapes the behavior of individuals and institutions, guiding them towards socially acceptable actions.

The primary purposes of law are to maintain order, resolve disputes, protect individual rights, and promote the general welfare. Law provides a structured approach to prevent chaos and conflict by setting clear guidelines for acceptable behaviour. It offers mechanisms for resolving conflicts between individuals, organisations, and government entities, ensuring that justice is administered impartially and fairly.

Furthermore, law protects individual rights and freedoms, such as the right to free speech, the right to privacy, and the right to a fair trial, ensuring these rights are safeguarded against infringement. By adhering to the principles and functions of law, societies can ensure that justice is administered effectively, fairly, and consistently, thereby supporting the foundations of democracy and the rule of law.
Back to blog
UOLLB SQE Turbocharge

UOLLB SQE Turbocharge

Get ready for the SQE1 with high-performance SQE Study Guides developed by UOLLB and published by UOL Press to revolutionise your study method and exam strategy.

Turbocharge SQE Performance Here

UOL Case Bank

Upon joining, you become a valuable UOL student and gain instant access to over 2,100 essential case summaries. UOL Case Bank is constantly expanding.
Speed up your revision with us now👇

Subscribe Now

Where are our students from?

Council of Europe
Crown Prosecution Service
Baker Mckenzie 
Yale University
University of Chicago
Columbia University
New York University
University of Michigan 
INSEAD
University of London
University College London (UCL)
London School of Economics (LSE)
King’s College London (KCL)
Royal Holloway, University of London 
Birkbeck, University of London
SOAS, University of London
University of Manchester
University of Zurich
University of York
Brandeis University
University of Exeter
University of Sheffield
Boston University
University of Washington
University of Leeds
University of Law
University of Kent
University of Hull
Queen’s University Belfast
Toronto Metropolitan University
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
University of Buckingham
ESSEC Business School

  • Criminal Practice

    Diagrams and Charts

    Our carefully designed diagrams and charts will guide you through complex legal issues.

  • Criminal Law

    Clear and Succinct Definitions

    Key concepts are concisely defined to help you understand legal topics quickly.

  • Property Law

    Statutory Provisions

    Statutory provisions are provided side by side with legal concepts to help you swiftly locate the relevant legislation.

  • Public Law

    Case Summaries

    We have summarised important cases for you so that you don't need to read long and boring cases.

  • Evidence

    Rules and Exceptions

    Rules and exceptions are clearly listed so that you know when a rule applies and when it doesn't.

  • Company Law

    Terminology

    Legal terms and key concepts are explained at the beginning of each chapter to help you learn efficiently.

  • Case Law

    Case law is provided side by side with legal concepts so that you know how legal principles and precedents were established.

  • Law Exam Guide

    Law Essay Guide

    You will learn essential law exam skills and essay writing techniques that are not taught in class.

  • Law Exam Guide

    Problem Question Guide

    We will show you how to answer problem questions step by step to achieve first-class results.

  • Conflict of Laws

    Structured Explanations

    Complex legal concepts are broken down into concise and digestible bullet point explanations.

  • Legal System and Method

    Legal Research

    You will learn legal research techniques with our study guide and become a proficient legal researcher.

  • Jurisprudence and Legal Theory

    Exam-focused

    All essential concepts, principles, and case law are included so that you can answer exam questions quickly.