Law New is a daily publication of federal laws, regulations and notices and other legal developments from around the country and the world. It is published by the Law Library of Congress and is available in print, on CD-ROM and online. It is free to use, although there are options for purchase.
Law is the body of governing rules and principles, whether created by statute, regulation or case law. In the broadest sense, law is any system of rules or principles that regulates conduct, governs relationships between individuals or entities, or establishes rights and obligations. It also includes the rules and procedures for resolving disputes, or for creating and enforcing contracts between private parties. The word “law” comes from the Latin verb lege, meaning “to lead,” or more narrowly, “to teach.”
The legal system is a system of enforceable rights and duties between the individual citizens of a country or community, as determined by its sovereign government, which acts as a judge and enforcer of these rights and obligations. This system is a fundamental component of every country, and is a cornerstone of any democracy.
A country’s laws may be codified in its constitution, laws passed by its legislature and periodically published in its consolidated law, or the decisions of its courts. Each state has its own laws, as well. The term law may also refer to a particular legal theory that guides the interpretation of these rules. For example, utilitarian theory focuses on the effect of laws on society and individuals, while natural law theories such as that of St Thomas Aquinas emphasize the existence of a moral order in nature and the immutable principles and rules that reflect it.
The most common legal issues include contracts, torts, crimes, family law, immigration, real estate, property and privacy. A large number of legal publications offer expert commentary on these and other topics. Some examples are The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Advocate and Law360. A law blog is a website that specializes in legal analysis and comment, often written by lawyers, professors or other legal professionals. The blogs may focus on a specific topic, or provide an overview of several topics.
A law reform project aims to increase transparency and public accountability in the federal judiciary. The project’s goals are to enhance the effectiveness of judicial nomination and confirmation processes and to improve the quality of the Supreme Court and federal appellate court opinions. The project’s goals will be accomplished by implementing reforms to the Congressional Review Act and amending the Administrative Procedure Act. The project will also promote greater consistency in federal judicial selection practices, including the use of merit pools and judicial nomination commissions. The project’s steering committee consists of leading members of the House and Senate judiciary committees. The project is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Justice, a division of the Department of Justice. The project’s website is here.