The functions of law are the main directions of its impact on public relations, on people’s behaviour.
The function of law in literature is also understood as its social purpose.
Through functions, the tasks set before the law as a social institution are carried out. And since the rules of law are adopted by state bodies, some of its functions on specific aspects of activity largely coincide with the functions of the state (for example, the protection of law and order).
The function of law classified according to various criteria:
- By the direction of action; economic, social, political, environmental, etc.
- On the main subjects of law enforcement; legislative, Executive, judicial.
- For social purposes;educational, cultural, information, etc.
- Depending on the main tasks facing the temper, there are two functions regulatory and protective.
These two functions are considered to be the basic functions of the law.
The Regulatory Function of Law
The essence of this function is to regulate, regulate public relations, establish their state, which is dictated by the most important interests of society at this stage of its development. These interests are accumulated and expressed by representative (legislative) bodies elected by the majority of the adult population.
The Protective Function of Law
The basis of this function is to protect settled (socially beneficial) social relationships from various types of offenders.
This function is carried out mainly by the adoption and application of prohibition rules, which provide for legal liability in case of violation of legal prohibitions.
This function is most clearly expressed in such areas of law as criminal, criminal procedure, criminal Executive, administrative.
It should be borne in mind that the division of the functions of the right to regulatory and protective is largely conditional since these processes (regulation and protection of public relations) are mutually intertwined and pass into each other.