Law is a system of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior within a community or society. It serves to maintain order, protect rights, resolve disputes, and promote justice and social change. Laws can be established by legislatures (statutes), executives (regulations), or judges (case law or precedent), and their creation and application are often influenced by a constitution or fundamental legal principles
. Legal systems vary worldwide, with common distinctions between public law (dealing with government and society, including constitutional, administrative, and criminal law) and private law (covering disputes between individuals or entities, such as contracts and property). Additionally, international law governs relations between states and other global actors, though it lacks a universal enforcement authority
. In essence, law defines what is permitted and prohibited, provides mechanisms for enforcement and dispute resolution, and reflects societal values and norms through its rules and institutions
