Law is designed to ensure that social agreements are respected and to maintain peace and security in the country. Riigikogu (the parliament of Estonia) has adopted laws that should benefit the people that follow the given norms. At the same time, they show the consequences of violating the law.
Law is a tool of social control that sets firm boundaries for the members of human society by the state, controls the absolute freedom of the people, and provides people with the necessary state assistance. Law creates not only mandatory prohibitions but also justifications for people to behave in a certain way (lawful behavior). Law operates in a social environment, evolving and changing, adapting to social circumstances so that the legal solution is always fair.
Law is chatacterized by a number of factors:
- Law is a general set of rules of conduct. Formally, law encompasses all individuals who are within the sphere of effect of the law. The code of conduct is addressed to everyone.
- The system of legal provisions is based on sound principles. Legislation is systematically organized into legal branches and legislation.
- Legislation is created by the Riigikogu, the Government or the Minister.
- The state must enforce the law, and if necessary, by coercion. If a legal norm is not guaranteed by state coercion, then it’s not a legal norm, but, for example, a moral norm.
- Society is evolving, and with it, the need to regulate various relationships increases. Law and adherence to the law are the most important preconditions for a civilized society and a developing economic environment.
How is the effectiveness of law ensured?
In general, law consists rules of conduct, so it is intended for all people.
The state must create effective legal norms so the people would follow them. This means, on the one hand, that the observance of legal provisions must be guaranteed by means of appropriate sanctions. People should feel that acting in accordance to the rules is more beneficial than unlawful behavior. On the other hand, legal provisions must also conform to the general logic of life.
The law establishes a reasonable framework for the behavior of the person affected by the law, doing it by defining the rights and obligations of the person. Non-compliance or infringement shall be subject to coercion or sanctions. This way, the State ensures compliance with the agreement in the legal provision.
But state coercion and sanctions are not an end in themselves - they are intended to influence people to behave in a lawful manner. Consequently, they perform their task best when they do not need to be applied to anyone.
The State Portal eesti.ee does not provide Legal Aid, European e-Justice portal provides information on justice systems.