What is Law?

1. DEFINITION (परिभाषा)

→ Law is a system of rules recognized and enforced by the State to regulate human conduct and ensure justice.

“Law is a command of the sovereign backed by sanction.” – John Austin

“Law is the body of principles recognized and applied by the State in the administration of justice.” – Salmond

नेपाली अर्थ: कानून भन्नाले राज्यले बनाएका वा स्वीकृत गरेका नियमहरूको त्यो प्रणाली हो जसले समाजमा व्यवस्था, न्याय र सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित गर्छ।

2. SCHOOLS OF LAW (कानूनका विद्यालय / धाराहरू)

(a) Natural Law School (प्राकृतिक सिद्धान्त) → Law is based on morality and justice. → Thinkers: Aristotle, Aquinas, Locke

(b) Positivist School (प्रत्यक्षवादी सिद्धान्त) → Law is a command of the sovereign; separate from morality. → Thinkers: John Austin, H.L.A. Hart

(d) Sociological School (सामाजिक सिद्धान्त) → Law is an instrument to fulfill social needs. → Thinker: Roscoe Pound

(e) Realist School (यथार्थवादी सिद्धान्त) → Law is what judges apply in practice. → Thinkers: Oliver Holmes, Karl Llewellyn

(f) Marxist School (मार्क्सवादी दृष्टिकोण) → Law protects ruling class interests. → Thinkers: Karl Marx, Engels

3. NATURE OF LAW (कानूनको स्वभाव)

Normative (मानकात्मक) – Prescribes rules of conduct.
Coercive (दण्डसहितको) – Supported by sanctions.
Dynamic (गतिशील) – Changes with time and society.
Universal but Contextual – Applies to all but varies by nation.
Institutional (संस्थागत) – Enforced through courts and state organs.
Rational (तार्किक) – Based on reasoning and justice.

4. OBJECTIVES OF LAW (कानूनका उद्देश्य)

To maintain law and order. (शान्ति र व्यवस्था कायम राख्ने)
To protect rights and liberty. (हक र स्वतन्त्रता संरक्षण गर्ने)
To ensure justice. (न्याय सुनिश्चित गर्ने)
To promote social welfare. (सामाजिक हित प्रवर्द्धन गर्ने)
To resolve disputes. (विवाद समाधान गर्ने)
To control misuse of power. (सत्ताको दुरुपयोग नियन्त्रण गर्ने)

5. TYPES OF LAW (कानूनका प्रकार)

A. According to Source (उत्पत्तिअनुसार) (i) Statutory Law (वैधानिक कानून) – Made by Parliament (e.g. Muluki Criminal Code, 2074) (ii) Customary Law (प्रचलित कानून) – Based on customs and traditions. (iii) Judicial Precedent (न्यायिक दृष्टान्त) – Developed from court decisions. (iv) Religious Law (धार्मिक कानून) – Derived from religious texts.

B. According to Application (प्रयोगअनुसार) (i) Public Law (सार्वजनिक कानून) – Between State and citizens (Constitutional, Criminal). (ii) Private Law (निजी कानून) – Between individuals (Contract, Property, Family Law).

C. According to Function (कार्यअनुसार) (i) Substantive Law (वस्तुगत कानून) – Defines rights, duties, and liabilities. (ii) Procedural Law (प्रक्रियागत कानून) – Lays down procedure to enforce rights.

D. Other Classifications - Civil Law (नागरिक कानून) - Criminal Law (फौजदारी कानून) - Administrative Law (प्रशासनिक कानून) - International Law (अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय कानून)

6. THEORIES OF LAW (कानूनका सिद्धान्त)

(i) Command Theory – Austin → Law is a command of the sovereign. (ii) Social Engineering Theory – Roscoe Pound → Law balances competing social interests. (iii) Pure Theory of Law – Hans Kelsen → Law is a hierarchy of norms, separate from morality. (iv) Living Law Theory – Ehrlich → Real law exists in society’s daily life. (v) Natural Law Theory – Based on morality and justice.

7. PRACTICES OF LAW (कानूनको व्यवहारिक पक्ष)

Legislative Practice (विधायिकीय अभ्यास) – Law-making by Parliament.
Judicial Practice (न्यायिक अभ्यास) – Interpretation and application by Courts.
Administrative Practice (प्रशासनिक अभ्यास) – Implementation by executive agencies.
Legal Profession (कानूनी व्यवसाय) – Lawyers, Judges, Prosecutors, Notaries, etc.
Law Enforcement (कानून कार्यान्वयन) – Police and regulatory bodies enforce laws.

8. IMPORTANCE OF LAW (कानूनको महत्व)

Maintains peace and security.
Protects fundamental rights (मौलिक हकहरू).
Promotes justice, equality, and welfare.
Strengthens democracy and rule of law.
Regulates behavior and prevents anarchy.

SUMMARY:

Law is the system of rules recognized and enforced by the State to maintain order, protect rights, and ensure justice. It evolves through social, moral, and institutional processes, functioning as the foundation of peace, governance, and justice in society.

Reading Space