The purpose of Law is to provide order and peace within a country, to protect individuals from majorities and to promote social justice. Some legal systems do these tasks better than others. For example, authoritarian regimes often oppress political opponents and minorities. Countries ruled by colonial powers often enforced peace by the use of law.
Law encompasses virtually every area of life
Law is the set of rules that govern society and government and are used to regulate almost every aspect of our lives. It has been described as a science and as an art. It can be made by a group of legislators or by a single legislator, by the executive branch through decrees, or by judges in a common law jurisdiction. Private individuals may also create contracts or arbitration agreements that are legally binding.
Legal reasoning
The development of legal reasoning requires students to engage in a variety of activities to reach a conclusion. The various features of legal reasoning can include argumentation, sourcing information, and applying legal knowledge. These skills should be incorporated into the classroom to help students achieve a better understanding of legal concepts and procedures. Students should be encouraged to discuss legal issues in small groups and to use writing as a means of expressing their opinions. Students should also be encouraged to reflect on their learning.
Courts of equity
Courts of equity in law operate under a different set of rules and remedies than common law courts. In contrast to the common law courts, which act in rem, equity courts operate in personam, or in a person’s interest. This means that their jurisdiction is limited to acts against the person’s conscience and claims against his or her property. Aristotle discussed the nature of equity in his writings.