Module I Law

Law Definition Law in general sense means any rule of action and includes any standard or pattern to which actions are or ought to be conformed. In its judicial sense, ‘Law’ means a body of rules of conduct, action or behavior of persons, made and enforced by the state. It expresses a rule of human action. Holland – The term ‘law’ is employed in jurisprudence not in the sense of the abstract idea or order but in that of the abstract idea of rules of conduct. In other words of him, law is a general rule of external human action enforced by a sovereign political authority.

Law Hobbes – Law is the commands of determinate superior that has coercive powers. Law is called as “Dharma” in Hindu Jurisprudence. Hukum in Islamic. Jus in Romans. Richt in Germany. Droit in France. According to “Ulpain”- the art of science of what is equitable and good.” The above definitions were given at a time when there was no distinction between law, morals and religion. Law was conceived as a part of religion. These definitions have lost their significance now because now law is being treated as an instrument of social change. However the element of justice is present in current time also. The modern jurists have defined law as a means to secure legal justice.

Law Lord Lloyd – “Since much juristic ink has flown in an Endeavour to provide a universally acceptable definition of law, but with little sign of attaining that objective.” Keeton – “To attempt to establish a single definition of law is to seek to confine jurisprudence within the straight jacket from which it is continually striving to escape.