Roles and Functions of Law

Role and Function of Law

LAW 471

April 6, 2015

Jacques Ward

Role and Function of Law

Every society can make laws and enforce those laws in order to govern the conduct of the individuals, businesses, and any other organization that may function within that society. The concept of law can be very board. According to Melvin (2011), law is defined as a “body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority, and having legal binding force” (p. 3). Laws are created to protect individuals and their property against unwanted interference from others. This paper will focus on defining the function and roles of law in society and business. This paper will also discuss the roles and functions of law at my most recent job.

Roles of Law

Law can play several roles in business and society but the most apparent is in the classification such as “Public and Private Law, Criminal and Civil Law, and Substantive and Procedural Law.” Public Law is derived of guidelines defining the relationship between the government and individuals. Private laws are the guidelines in which groups and individuals interact with each other. Criminal law is the law that protects society by penalizing the violator with fines or even imprisonment. On the other hand, Civil Law is laws in which any private parties can bring lawsuits against one another for any wrongdoings. Substantive Laws are the rights and duties of the people. Procedural Laws provide the guidelines and rules for people pursuing substantive rights. These different classifications are what help society to run more efficiently and effectively (Melvin, 2011, p. 18).

Functions of Law

The law is often described by the function it serves within a society. Some of these functions include; keeping the peace, promoting social justice, maintaining personal freedoms, facilitating orderly change, shaping moral standards, and providing a basis for compromise. Law was created to help society to make fair decisions as well...