A Glance at Law
Law is not just about courtroom battles and filing injunctions, even if the tabloids show us just that. The law is fascinating and all encompassing because everything we do is governed by justice, fairness and protection - from business agreements between partners, to employment contracts in companies to the humble tenancy agreement. In every major company, “business as usual” would stop if the legal department went on leave.
A law degree does not just allow you to have a law career. It can extend into your personal life too. That’s because knowing the law means knowing your rights and that applies to every stage in your life. When you first step out of university into the real world as an adult, you will realise that having an understanding of labour laws for instance, enables you to look through employment contracts so you can identify everything from employment rights to unfairly written contracts. When you purchase your first car or house, your ability to understand legal terms make it easier to deal with lawyers and bank officers. You will be able to understand the terms and conditions stated in your contract better. If you rent out your property, you can protect yourself if your tenant is trying to out-muscle you with threats because you know that the written word between you and him is all that matter in court. When getting married, a whole new section of law applies. A couple cannot just get married in a religious ceremony. They must also register the marriage to make it legal and to be entitled to tax breaks and other benefits such as an inheritance should one spouse pass away. The marriage certificate is not just a piece of paper but an important document.
The law applies to everyday life. Running a red light has legal implications. If a friend borrows your car and incurs a summon for it, you as the car owner are liable to pay the fine. This is part of traffic law. If you buy a faulty product, you as a consumer are also protected. You can return it or get a refund within a stipulated period of time or seek redress in a tribunal. Knowing the law means knowing that the written word can be used as evidence in court. This will make you more careful in what you write in emails, chat rooms, blogs and other correspondence. Business people and industry leaders know that the law is like a map that gives them directions to their goals. It helps their business be aware of lawful conduct while taking advantage of acts and enactments that help propel their business dealings forward. Even when nothing seems to be happening in your daily life, civil law still plays a role in understanding how communities can live harmoniously. As a young person with keen interests in your country’s development, you’ll be able to examine the facts and appreciate the technicalities behind parliament sittings, political disputes, new changes to the law and even happenings in your neighbourhood.
How would you know if a policeman is behaving unlawfully? You could spot breaches of the law in everyday settings and use it to make life a little better (like a friend driving an unregistered car or noticing someone dumping waste on an empty piece of land).
In general,knowing the mechanics of the legal system in your country gives you the ability to make informed decisions in your every day life. Whether it is to draft a business contract, negotiate industry-related rulings or simply to comprehend the situations around you better, understanding the law makes you a more informed citizen. Better still, it protects you and the people that you love.
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