Law is a body of rules that govern human behavior and are enforceable by governmental and social institutions. Although the exact nature of law is a matter of controversy, it is often described as an art of justice or a science. This article will discuss some of the fundamental concepts of law. The article also discusses the principles that govern law and the Rule of law.

Principles of the inner morality of law

Fuller developed eight principles of the inner morality of law, and his ideas have since become important contributions to rule of law theory and legal philosophy. His claim precipitated the ‘natural law versus legal positivism’ debate. Despite its controversial origins, Fuller’s thinking is worth revisiting.

According to Thomas Aquinas, the legal system is founded on the natural law. As such, a law may not be justifiable unless it follows the natural law. Moreover, an unjust law is no law at all.

Legal statutes

Legal statutes are written pieces of law that are enacted by a legislature. This type of law is distinct from customary law, oral law, and regulatory laws promulgated by the executive branch. Statutes can be created by national legislatures, state legislatures, and local municipalities. They are essential to governing our society, because they provide the framework for our rights and responsibilities as citizens.

There are many resources to assist you in your research on legal statutes. Some are free and available online; others require a subscription. Most are also searchable and have annotated code. Online annotated codes can be helpful when looking for a specific statute, because they make it easier to locate related statutory provisions. Many services also provide annotations of non-statutory material.

Rule of law

The concept of the Rule of Law has undergone many changes throughout the centuries. Philosophers have sought to define what the Rule of Law is and what it means to a society. In medieval times, theorists sought to distinguish between lawful and despotic forms of kingship. The arguments about the Rule of Law persisted in the early modern period, during the European Enlightenment, and in American constitutionalism.

The Rule of Law is a formal principle that demands that people in positions of authority exercise their powers within public norms. In other words, the government should act within a legal framework and be held accountable through the law if it takes a bad course of action.

Civil law

Civil law is a legal system that originated in mainland Europe and was later adopted throughout much of the world. It is an intellectual system that originated from Roman law, and it serves as the primary source of law in many countries. The system has evolved over time, and is based on referable principles. The purpose of civil law is to provide the protection of individuals and property.

Civil law differs from common law in many ways. While it is based on the same principles, civil law has a more flexible system. It allows a judge to make a more informed decision on the merits of a case. In addition, civil law is flexible and adaptable.

International law

International law is an umbrella term for laws regulating relations between states and other entities in the world. This legal system was first formulated in 1860, by Theodore Woolsey. His basic concept is that nations are self-governing and cannot be imposed on them by an external human power. However, nations retain a duty to act in accordance with international law. This principle has since become the basis for public international law.

There are many different types of international law. Some of the most important ones are based on treaties. For example, there are several treaties that prohibit the use of cluster munitions and mines. There are also specific treaties pertaining to cultural property. A key feature of international law is that it is voluntary, and that power only exists when the parties agree to it.