The Function of Law

The Function and Role of Law Jeremy Harrell LAW 421/ Contemporary Business Law Denver Snuffer The Function and Role of Law in Business and Society Law is something that affects everyone wherever they live. If you are involved in a business, law is definitely something that will affect you in more ways than one. Lack of knowledge of the society you live in and how laws will govern you can affect you and your business in the way you operate. Law Defined and its Effect on Society
According to Wikipedia, “Commercial law, also known as business law, is the body of law that applies to the rights, relations, and conduct of persons and businesses engaged in commerce, merchandising, trade, and sales. It is often considered to be a branch of civil law and deals with issues of both private law and public law. ” Not only can law have an effect on society and business, but business and society can in return have an impact on law. The influence of a business on society can affect changes to laws which govern how they operate.
This influence can be through recommending changes that will help their business, or help protect them from a society that has become a “sue happy” society in order to make money in an unstable economy, in my opinion. Interesting Events Some of the interesting law suits that I am referring to in my claim that our society is a “sew happy” society is quite intriguing. I worked for a McDonald’s restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho in 1994. One lawsuit that occurred with a McDonald’s in New Mexico over spilt coffee is one of the lawsuits I am referring to.

From what I recall of this lawsuit as told by my employer, the customer in New Mexico came through the drive thru and ordered a cup of coffee as part of their order. As they departed out of the drive thru, the coffee spilt on the customer’s lap, causing third degree burns. I don’t know how much the medical bills of the customer were, but McDonald’s was sewed and the customer received a settlement from this lawsuit. As stated on Wikipedia, “ABC News called this lawsuit ‘the poster child of excessive lawsuits. ” This is one of many examples of people sewing businesses over dumb stuff in my opinion. Who would want their coffee cold? That would more than likely lead to a complaint to the business. How it Affects My Current Occupation Business law is not the only law that affects my occupation, as I am in the military. I am also governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ predates the constitution. The UCMJ is contained in Title 10, sections 801 through 946. “Scribd”) The UCMJ includes a lot of items that are wrong in our society as well, but allows for additional punishments and disciplinary action in the military system. The legal advisors in the military are referred to as Judge Advocate General’s (JAG’s). Since I work in the personnel portion of the industry, I deal with JAG’s on a regular basis. I have had to sit as a recorder on disciplinary boards, recording and listening to what goes on as Soldier’s are disciplined for their actions. Because of the UCMJ, Soldier’s could be disciplined twice depending on the nature of the incident.
I recall when I was deployed to Afghanistan having to help process legal paperwork for my Battalion Commander as he had to discipline twelve Soldier’s in the first two weeks for violations of the UCMJ that occurred when these Soldier’s were in Hawaii because he was their first O5 in their chain at the time of the disciplinary action. This was a huge eye opener to me of what can happen when law and the UCMJ are violated. Conclusion As I have started to learn about Business Law and hear about court cases between people in society and businesses, I know how important it is in business to follow the law.
In addition, it is also important to do your part as a citizen and businessman to implement and enforce laws that govern you in your business and operations. References Scribd. (). Retrieved from http://www. scribd. com/doc/982597/The-History-of-the-Military-Justice-System Wikipedia. (). Retrieved from http://en. wikipedia. org/w/index. php? title=Special%3ASearch&profile=default&search=business+law&fulltext=Search Wikipedia. (). Retrieved from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Liebeck_v. _McDonald’s_Restaurants