In what ways is ethics distinct from law?

Ethics and law are distinct in that ethics are moral principles that guide individual behavior, while law is a system of rules enforced by a governing authority. Ethics focus on what is right or wrong based on values and beliefs, while law is a set of regulations that must be followed to maintain order in society. While some ethical principles may be reflected in laws, not all ethical behavior is necessarily required by law, and not all legal requirements are necessarily ethical.