What is law?

Law comprises a system of rules that is recognised by a particular country, society or community as regulating the actions of its members with enforceability mechanisms such as the imposition of penalties.

Australia's legal system is based on the 'rule of law', which includes the following principles:

• All Australians should be treated equally by the law and should obey the law.
• The law should be fair, under which people and authorities are willing to be ruled.
• Laws should be clearly expressed and in general terms.
• Laws should be stable and not change frequently.
• Law-making should be guided by open and clear rules.
• The Judiciary (courts) should be independent and free of influence by government.
• Natural justice should be observed.
• The courts should be easily accessible.
• Crime-preventing agencies must not change the law.

These principles are sometimes referred to in case law as the principles of equity or when talking about conduct within a courtroom, principles of natural justice or procedural fairness.

Law is further divided into statute law and common law.