Module 39: Law & Legal Systems
How societies write rules, enforce them, and resolve disputes — and how to read the law
Part A · what law is — the foundations of legal thinking
What law is — and the difference from morality, custom, and force
Law vs moralityPositivism vs natural lawHart vs FullerWhy we have law
Sources of law — where laws come from
Legislation (statute)Common law (precedent)Constitutional lawInternational lawEquity
The two great traditions — common law vs civil law systems
Common law (UK, US, Commonwealth)Civil law (France, Germany, EU)Precedent vs codeWorld map of legal families
How courts work — the anatomy of a legal system
Court hierarchyTrial vs appellateBurden of proofAdversarial vs inquisitorial
Part B · public law — the state and the individual
Constitutional law — the supreme law and its limits
Written vs unwritten constitutionsSeparation of powersJudicial reviewConstitutional rights
Criminal law — what makes something a crime
Actus reus & mens reaCategories of crimeDefencesSentencingProsecution vs civil liability
Administrative law — how government decisions are challenged
Judicial review of government actionLegitimate expectationProcedural fairness
Human rights law — the international framework and domestic application
UDHRECHRRights categoriesDerogation & limitations
Part C · private law — rights and obligations between people
Contract law — the law of promises
Offer & acceptanceConsiderationBreach & remediesExclusion clauses
Tort law — civil wrongs and compensation
NegligenceDuty of careDefamationNuisanceDamages
Property law — ownership, title, and the bundle of rights
Real vs personal propertyTitle & ownershipIntellectual property overviewAdverse possession
Family law — marriage, divorce, children, and inheritance
Marriage & dissolutionChild custody principlesInheritance (intestacy)Cross-jurisdictional issues
Part D · commercial and business law
Company law — what a company is and how it works legally
Corporate personhoodLimited liabilityShareholders & directorsFiduciary duty
Intellectual property — patents, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets
Patent basics & durationCopyright scopeTrademark functionIP as business asset
Employment law — the rights and duties of work
Employment vs contractorDismissal lawDiscriminationCollective bargaining
Competition / antitrust law — keeping markets competitive
Abuse of dominanceMerger controlCartelsUS Sherman Act vs EU approach
Part E · international law
Public international law — how states interact legally
Treaties & customSovereigntyJus cogensEnforcement problem
International courts and tribunals — the ICC, ICJ, WTO, and more
ICJ vs ICCJurisdiction limitsWTO dispute settlement
International humanitarian law — the laws of war
Geneva ConventionsCombatants vs civiliansWar crimesEnforcement realities
Part F · how to read the law — practical legal literacy
How to read a statute — the structure of legislation
Sections & schedulesDefinitions clausesPurposive vs literal interpretation
How to read a contract — what to look for in any agreement
Key clausesGoverning law & jurisdictionIndemnity & liability capsTermination rights
Legal reasoning and argument — how lawyers actually think
Analogical reasoningDistinguishing casesRatio decidendi vs obiterLegal writing style
When to get a lawyer — and how to use one effectively
When DIY is enoughChoosing the right typeLegal costs explainedAccess to justice