Law Functions And Roles

Role and Functions of Law Paper

George Perez

LAW 421

Role and Functions of Law Paper

Law plays an important role in every day life of business and society. Laws regulate social behavior, which leads to a society that runs efficiently. According to Melvin (2011), "A generally accepted generic definition of the law is a body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority, and having legal binding force". Laws supply ethical standards and expectations, while providing rules of conduct, measures to enforce those rules, and a means for settling disputes (Bushman, 2007). President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted saying," No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it." The most visible function of the law on a day-to-day basis is to provide for some system of order that defines crimes and levies punishment for violation of the crimes; there are many other purposes of recognizing a uniform system of laws (Melvin, 2011). Laws take and shape our lives in business, from our jobs to our personal lives.

Laws are broken down into several different types. These laws include constitutions, statutes, common law, administrative regulations and decisions, treaties, ordinances, and executive orders (Bushman, 2007).

Constitutions

A constitution is the overriding law, because it establishes the fundamental principles of a government at either the state or federal level (Bushman, 2007).

Statutes and Common Law

A statute is a law enacted by elected representatives of the legislative branch of government (Bushman, 2007).

Treaties, Ordinances, and Executive Order

Treaties are contracts between two or more political authorities, such as states or countries (Bushman, 2007)

In addition to the different types of law, laws are also categorized into three general classifications: criminal law and civil law, substantive law and procedural law, and public law and private law (Bushman, 2007).

Currently in my field, the hospitality business, laws shape our whole environment. Restaurants have a responsibility to provide food that adheres to federal and state government standards for human consumption. Food poisoning and consciousness of food illnesses have brought hospitality laws into a different industry. "American hotel operators have a number of legal duties to their guests. They are expected to protect guests' safety and avoid negligence" ("Hospitality Law", 2013). The federal government has food regulations that