Law is a system of rules that are created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. It is a complex concept, with its precise definition a matter of long-standing debate. The law can be made by a legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive, resulting in decrees and regulations; or by judges, resulting in judicial decisions that become legal precedent. The law may also be derived from religious precepts, such as Jewish Halakha or Islamic Sharia, and Christian canon law.

The law serves many purposes, including establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes, and protecting liberties and rights. The law is administered by a judiciary, which is typically composed of judges who are sent out on circuits to hear cases in court. Judges make law by listening to arguments from each side, interpreting the facts of a case, and applying relevant legislation. These rulings are then compiled into a body of judicial decisions known as common law or civil law.

The rule of law is the foundation for healthy communities that are governed by laws, institutions, and norms that deliver four universal principles: accountability; just law; open government; and accessible and impartial justice. The WJP has developed a definition of the rule of law, which draws on ancient scholarship and resonates with all major legal traditions. It defines the rule of law as “a system of laws, institutions, and norms that delivers transparent, accountable, and just public processes and ensures that all citizens are treated equally before the courts.” Read more about our definition here.