It is difficult to be precise as to what law is, but it may be defined as a code of conduct for the people in a given community, which controls their activities towards each other, with respect to their private and business lives, and to their relationship with the State.

It is generally agreed that law must be accepted by the majority of the community. Most road-users recognise the necessity for all drivers travelling on the same side of the road, or stopping at traffic lights when they show red. Even if there was no punishment for these offences, the majority of drivers would still follow the Highway Code because they know it is the sensible thing to do.

Most associations and sports are governed by laws or rules. The laws of cricket are observed by cricketers throughout the world, but they are not "law" in the context we are discussing. To be effective, law must be binding on the whole community and must be enforceable. Members of a community do not have to play cricket, and those who do play may agree to change the rules for their own benefit or convenience, but people in this country may not ignore or change the law to suit themselves. Holidaymakers, for example, could play cricket on the beach and ignore the cricket law relating to "leg before wicket", and also create a law that a hit into the sea is "six and out". They could not, however, ignore the criminal law and decide to have gun fights as seen in western films on television most Saturday nights. In R. v.Moloney (1985) two men staged a friendly shooting contest to see who had thefaster "draw". Although there was no intention for either to be hurt, one was shot and died. The survivor was found guilty of manslaughter. It is against the law to kill or attempt to kill, and members of the community have no choice as to whether the law applies to them or not.