The History of Rule of Law
Rule of Law is a fundamental ideal that has existed for millennia in political tradition. Without understanding its historical roots, we cannot properly evaluate modern conceptions of the rule of law. This article examines some of the principles that shape Rule of Law. In particular, we will consider the constitutional and common law traditions.
Regulation
Regulation of law is secondary legislation, such as rules and regulations, that are promulgated by an executive branch agency or a delegated by the legislature. Regulatory laws are distinct from statutory and common laws, which are both promulgated by the judicial branch.
Statutes
Statutes are formal written enactments of legislative authority, and they govern legal entities within a country, state, or city. These documents typically command, prohibit, or declare a policy.
Common law
Common law is the body of law in a country or jurisdiction. It is composed of the statutes and regulations that govern the conduct of people in a particular country. It is a broad concept that covers a range of subjects.
Judiciary
The Judiciary is the whole apparatus of law, including Judges, Lawyers, and judicial staff. The Judiciary is responsible for entertaining disputes involving the law, whether the subject is a violation or an existence of a right. Anyone who seeks “the law” must first make their way through the Judiciary.
Public norms
Norms are often considered obsolete and unimportant by society. If these norms are seen as outdated, individuals may feel little guilt for violating them. Moreover, those who are tempted to violate them may have low discount rates, because the costs of leaving the group and the benefits of future cooperation are low.
Accessibility
Japan has passed several laws to ensure that information technology is accessible for people with disabilities. The Stanca Law requires governmental and private agencies to implement accessible information technologies. Decree No. 75 requires websites to be barrier-free and adhere to the WCAG Level II guidelines. In addition, the EN 301 549 standard set the accessibility requirements for public procurement in Europe, giving legal force to the W3C’s WCAG guidelines.