Law is a set of rules imposed by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Its precise definition is a matter of ongoing debate. It can be derived from a group legislature through statutes, decrees or regulations; enforced by executive authority through enforcement of laws or regulations; or established by judges through precedent, as in common law jurisdictions. It can also be derived from religious precepts, such as Jewish Halakha or Islamic Sharia. It can be interpreted or influenced by further human elaboration, such as through reasoning by analogy or Ijma (consensus).
The legal subjects that fall under law include criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, contract and tort law, property law and trust law. The traditional core subjects are complemented by a range of specialisms, such as intellectual property law and family law. International law deals with the legal rights and responsibilities of nations.
In modern societies, the practice of law is overseen by a state or independent regulating body. Lawyers must be qualified through specified procedures, e.g., passing a bar exam or having a legal education that earns them a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Civil Law or Juris Doctor degree. In addition, they must maintain professional identity through specific forms of appointment or election to membership of a legal bar association or law society. The profession also carries out various regulatory activities, such as setting minimum standards for bank capital, investment rules and utilities regulation.