| Although we all have an understanding of what | | | | society, through regulating not only personal |
| law is, and generally why it's appropriate that it | | | | conduct but also the way we act in business |
| should be in place to serve and regulate our | | | | situations. Take for example the everyday task |
| conduct in society, we seldom think of what law | | | | of boarding a train. The law regulates many |
| actually means in an everyday context. What is | | | | aspects of this feat: (1) the criminal law and the |
| law for the average Joe in the street? How | | | | constitution permits us to board public transport. |
| does law impact on our lives from day to day? | | | | (2) The constitution permits us to make contract |
| Indeed, is the law a distant concept with which | | | | with another. (3) The laws of contract permit us |
| we find it hard to relate? In this article we will | | | | to form a contract for transport with the train |
| look at some of the fundamental ways law | | | | company, and ensure that that contract is |
| operates in society, in addition to the nature of | | | | fulfilled. (4) The laws of contract and tort allow |
| the law as we know it. | | | | us to board without fear of injury, or with |
| For some people, they feel as though the law is | | | | remedy should the worst happen. Finally the law |
| there merely to protect their interests, and that | | | | of ownership and currency allows us to hand over |
| they have no need for daily interaction. | | | | money in consideration for this service, which is |
| However, they assume that if the day comes | | | | of value to the other contracting party. In fact, |
| where their behaviour is called into question, the | | | | the law regulates just about everything we do, |
| law will operate, the course of justice will be run, | | | | and is vital in doing so to ensure the smooth |
| and the will of the people will be fulfilled. This is | | | | running of community and every aspect of our |
| perhaps a naïve interpretation of the function | | | | lives. |
| of law, and indeed the way it operates in our lives | | | | The law is not some abstract notion that can and |
| throughout the day. For instance, at the top | | | | will protect us when we need to rely on it. The |
| level we have the constitution, establishing | | | | law is an integral part of democratic life, and |
| parameters within which the government can and | | | | something which regulates our conduct, and in |
| cannot act to protect the citizens of our nation. | | | | essence allows us to act according to our own |
| That has an overwhelming effect on the way in | | | | desires within reason. Some may think the law is |
| which our government and indeed our country is | | | | too restrictive in certain areas, but it works. The |
| run, which has a knock on effect on everything | | | | law serves its function as regulating our behaviour |
| we do throughout the day and how we do it. | | | | very well, and if it doesn't? We can change it. |
| Even at a local level, the law interacts with the | | | | The fact is, law has been an important part of |
| services we are provided, the jobs we work and | | | | society since it began, with implied legal and social |
| pretty much everything to do with the lives we | | | | orders and boundaries that could not be crossed. |
| lead. A distant concept? I don't think so. | | | | Today, it is a sophisticated network of guidelines |
| The law does not just operate in criminal spheres, | | | | and regulations which is adapted to shape the |
| nor is it confined to merely constitutional matters | | | | way we live our lives from one day to the next. |
| and the distribution of power. Law is a | | | | There is no doubt that the law is important to the |
| significantly more sophisticated tool in the | | | | citizen, and plays a profound impact on the lives |
| orchestration of the day-to-day organisation of | | | | of the people on a daily basis. |