Role and Functions of Law

ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF LAW PAPER 1

Role and Functions of Law Paper

LAW/421 Contemporary Business Law

November 13, 2011

Patrice Carrington

ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF LAW PAPER 2

Role and Functions of Law Paper

The functions of law in business and society are the constitutional law, statutory law,

common law and administrative (regulatory) law. Much of American law is derived from

the English and their legal doctrines. These doctrines came with English settlers of the

colonies. Based on U.S. historical roots, American law is composed of a unique blend from

various sources.

The foundation for all other law in the United States and is the supreme law of the land,

would be the Constitutional Law. The Constitutional Law functions in tandem with other sources

of law in three broad areas. The first broad area consist of establishing a structure for federal and

state governments and rules for amending the constitution. Granting specific powers for the

different branches of government and providing protection for the United States citizens from

wrongful government actions would be the second and third broad area. Each state has its own

constitution that is the highest source of law within the state’s borders, therefore, the

Constitutional Law exists on both the federal and state level.

A law that is created by a legislative body and is approved and disapproved by the

executive branch of government would be considered the Statutory Law. Statutory Law function

involves a bill that has not yet been passed and or had the executive concurrence. The President

is the executive. He may sign a bill into law (thereby adopting it as a statue), or the President

may veto the bill. This is all done subject to the congress right to override the veto. If this occurs

then the bill will become a statue.

The state legislature is called by different names in different states. Motor vehicle laws,

partnership and business...