Introduction to Law

Course contents

 Evolution of the legal system (Tribal to modern democratic era)

 Relation between state and citizens
 Definitions and scope of law
 History of Law
 Functions and purposes of Law
 Relation of law with other sciences
 Source of law: Legislation, precedent, custom and legal theories
 Classification of law: types of law, public and private law, criminal and civil law, Substantive
and procedural law, International law, constitutional law, Environmntal law, corporate and
commercial law, Law of contract, Cyber crimes
 Introduction to common law system and continental law system
 Fundamental Rights and duties
 Rule of law, its significance and applicability
 Judicial Institutions
 Non adjudicative modes of dispute resolution (Alternate Dispute Resolution)
 Law and Religion
 Law, morality and ethics
 Intellectual Property Rights (Patent, Trade mark, Copy right and Geographical Indications)
 Interpretation of statutes and documents

Suggested Readings

 Slapper, G. (2010): How the Law Works: A Friendly Guide, Routledge, London
 Fenwick, H. and G. Phillipson (2010): Text, Cases and Materials on Public Law and Human
Rights, 3rd edition, Routledge, London
 Denning, Lord. The Discipline of Law.London: Butterworths, 1979.
 Dworkin, Ronald. Taking Rights Seriously. London: Duckworth, 1977.
 Harris, Phil, An Introduction to Law, 7thedn. Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press, 2007.
 Nygh,P.E, Butt,P. Legal Terms.London: Butterworths, 1998
 Hart, H L A, The Concept of Law, 2ndedn. Oxford: OUP, 1997.
 Posner Richard A. Overcoming Law. Delhi: Universal, 2007 (I.rpt.).