Law is a constantly changing field. For lawyers, keeping up with the latest developments is important to staying relevant in their practice. One such development is the concept of new law. This idea isn’t always easy to define, but it generally involves offering legal services in innovative ways. It can include working with underserved communities, embracing technology and creating strategies that have not been used in the past.
New York law consists of the Constitution, laws passed by the state legislature and periodically codified in the New York Consolidated Laws, and decisions made by courts that interpret the state’s laws. Federal laws are created by the United States Congress, including the House of Representatives and the Senate. Learn about the different branches of government and how a bill becomes a law.
Property law, sometimes referred to as real estate law or property rights, covers ownership of land and the things attached to it, such as buildings, vehicles and furniture. Other kinds of property laws include copyrights, intellectual property and trusts. Ownership of land can be based on a right in rem, a right to own a specific thing, or a right in personam, a right to compensation in the event of loss or damage.
In philosophy, natural law is the theory that a sovereign’s laws reflect innate principles of right and wrong. This theory was first articulated by Germain Grisez in an interpretation of St Thomas Aquinas, and was reintroduced by John Finnis and Joseph Boyle in the 1960s and 1970s.
Whether you’re looking for the latest legislation or want to study a particular subject, our laws database is an excellent source of information. You can browse the current laws of New York organized by subject matter, or search for changes to the law (known as bills) proposed by senators and members of the Assembly. You can also find law-related news articles and publications from the NYSBA, and a list of legal blogs. You can also access law journals and periodicals from the Law Library of the City University of New York.
