The Oxford Companion to Law
Law is a system of rules that a government or community creates to deal with crime, business agreements, and social relationships. It also refers to the people who work in this system of law, including judges and lawyers.
Laws are generally created by people who have political power, which is why they can vary so much from nation to nation. There are many different ways in which laws can be enforced and interpreted, and each way has important consequences for the people whose lives they affect. The varying nature of law also makes it difficult to define what “law” actually means.
In general, laws are meant to keep societies stable and to protect people’s basic rights. They also often reflect the culture and values of the society in which they are established. For example, the legal system in a Muslim country might not allow a man to have more than one wife at a time, while Hindus may be allowed to have up to four wives.
The Oxford Companion to Law offers concise definitions and in-depth, specialist encyclopedic entries on all aspects of the subject, from major international treaties and legal organizations to domestic criminal and civil law and key debates in legal theory. The entries are written by trusted experts for researchers at every level. This authoritative reference is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complex and fascinating world of law.