What do you mean by law ?

Meaning and Definitions of Law:

Law is a body of rules, boundaries, limitations, rules and regulations that regulate human behaviors and conduct. 

The term ‘law’ is derived from the old Teutonic word ‘lag’ which means fixed, uniform or constant. Different languages have their own term equivalent to law. The Latin terms Lex or jus or juris, Spanish term ley, French term droit, Sanskrit term Vidhi and Arabi term Kanoon are used for law in respective languages. 

Likewise, the law is called Dharma in Hindu jurisprudence, Hukum in Islam and res in German. The term Kanoon which is used in Nepali and recognized as our own term is adopted from Arabi.

Law is a body of rules, boundaries or limitations, regulations and binding rules of conduct that control and regulate human behaviors. 

Generally, the term law refers to the body of rules that govern human behaviors. It also regulates the relations between individuals to individuals and individuals to state. 

Law is the enforceable body of rules that governs society by creating rights and duties for people. The rights, liberties and obligations of human beings are regulated through the powerful implementation of law.

The law is a set of rules made by the law-making authority for the proper regulation of human behaviors in society and to maintain peace and order in society. Law-making authority means federal legislature, provincial legislature, local legislature, or modern state. 

Law is made for the well-being of society and the betterment of human life. The main aim of making law is to provide justice to victims. 

Generally, the term 'law' refers to the body of rules that govern human conduct. Law is the enforceable body of rules that governs society by creating rights and duties for the people. The law protects and regulates the rights and duties of citizens. 

Law is made for the well-being and betterment of people and society. The law prohibits unnecessary disturbance from happening in society by punishing criminals. 

There is no single, precise and universally accepted definition of law because jurists beings born in different phases of time. And different jurists define law based on different aspects.

Definition of law given by various jurists:

According to Austin, “Law is a command of sovereign backed up by sanctions.”

According to Holland, “Law is a general rule of external human action enforced by sovereign political authority.”

According to Salmond, “Law may be defined as the body of principles recognized and applied by the state in the administration of justice.”

According to Savigny, “Law is a rule of human action and conduct sanctioned by national usage.”

According to Holmes, “The prophecies of what court will do in fact and nothing more pretentious, are What I mean by law.”

According to Vedas, “Law is the King of King and nothing is mightier than law, by whose aid even weaker may prevail over the strong.”

According to the Oxford Dictionary, Laws are the whole system of rules that everyone in the country or society must obey.”

According to Black's Law Dictionary, "Law as rules, which must be obeyed and followed by citizens to sanction or legal consequences."

Definition of law according to the school of thought:

1. Natural Law School: According to this school, “Law is the dictate of reasons.”
2. Analytical School: According to this school, “law is the command of the sovereign.”
3. Historical School: According to this school, “Law is not made but found.”
4. Sociological School: According to this school, “Law is social engineering.”
5. Realist School: According to this school, “Law is the practice of court.”
6. Socialist School: According to this school, “Law is an instrument of exploitation and domination.”

In conclusion, from the above explanation and definition, it is clear that law is the whole rule that is made by the state to regulate human behavior to maintain peace and order in society. Law is necessary for regulating and smooth functioning of the state. 

Law is the main tool of every state to control and regulate the conduct of its citizens. Law provides rights to its citizens and imposes duties. Thus, law is the enforceable body of rules that regulates human behavior and society and helps to maintain peace and order in society.  

Read also: What are the six schools of thought?