Law is the set of rules that are enforceable by social institutions. These institutions include courts, governmental bodies, and private parties. They shape history, economics, politics, and culture. In addition, they also provide people with a way to seek justice.

Legal issues arise from a variety of sources, including planned events, sudden incidents, or problems in the workplace or at home. Common issues include debt, consumer rights, immigration, and family matters. These issues may be heard in state and federal courts.

There are several types of legal systems, including civil, administrative, and commercial. In most common-law jurisdictions, the judiciary makes official decisions, and the laws of the country are usually codified in statutes. In other systems, such as the US, the executive branch enacts laws through decrees and legislation.

Common law is a system of legal practice that originated in England and is based on court decisions. However, it is broader than that, because it also includes the doctrine of precedent. This means that future court decisions are bound by those made by the court in a prior case.

A judge is a government official who has the authority to hear and decide lawsuits. He or she is appointed by the chief judge, whose responsibility is to administer the court. In some cases, a clerk of court is hired to help manage the flow of cases through the court. The clerk maintains the court records and assists the judges in research.

A trial is the official proceeding in which a person is accused of breaking the law. A defendant is asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If he or she pleads guilty, a charge is filed. The charge is a written statement that says the defendant committed a crime. If a defendant does not plead guilty, he or she can avoid being charged by requesting a nolo contendere. A nolo contendere is similar to a plea of guilt, but does not admit that the defendant is guilty.

When an individual is accused of committing a crime, a prosecutor is assigned to represent the government. A judge and a jury are involved in the trial. A court reporter records words spoken during the trial. In some cases, the trial is recorded in a docket.

A judge’s decision is called a judgment. The decision can be appealed to a higher court, called the court of appeals. The appellate court is typically a panel of three judges. In more complex cases, the number of courts of appeals might increase. Appeals can be made for improper procedure, a change in the law, or to correct a mistake in the original judgment.

A court reporter will make a transcript of the testimony, evidence, and other information presented during a trial. These transcripts are used by lawyers to prepare for a trial. During the trial, a plaintiff or defendant can make a counterclaim, which is a claim that is similar to the defendant’s.

Laws are a political foundation for society. Depending on the jurisdiction, there are laws governing business, labour, property, and consumer rights. The government can enforce laws through the executive branch, the legislature, or a special regulating body.