GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF LAW

(PLG0012)
Topic 1:
TYPES AND SOURCES OF MALAYSIAN LAW
(Part A)
Learning Outcomes:

Students will gain basic understanding on

the concept of law.
Students will be able to describe the
fundamental sources of Malaysian law.
SCOPE – Topic 1 (Part A)
1. What is Law ? (things related to law…)
2. Definitions of Law
a. Dictionaries
b. Legal Jurists
3. Characteristics of Law
4. Functions of Law
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)

Justitia (goddess of justice)

blindfolded and holding balance
scales and a sword.
Court of Final Appeal,
Hong Kong
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)

Library @ Harvard School of Law

Squire Law Library, University of Cambridge
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)

MMU Law Library

 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
 What is Law ?
(things related to law…)
Definitions of Law
General – Rules of behavior
In dictionaries:
• Oxford English Dictionary - The body of enacted/customary
rules recognized by a community as binding.
• Shorter Oxford English Dictionary - Any body of rules which
is organised and structured and relates to a particular code
of conduct.
• Jowitt’s Dictionary of English Law - A rule of action to
which men are obliged to make their conduct conformable.
Definitions of Law
By legal jurists:
•Sir John William Salmond: The body of principles recognised &
applied by the state in the administration of justice.
•John Austin: Command issued by the sovereign & backed by
sanctions.
•Benjamin Nathan Cardozo: A principle/rule of conduct so
established as to justify a prediction with reasonable certainty
that it will be enforced by the courts if its authority is
challenged.
Characteristics of Law:
• Body of rules & command.
• Recognised & binding on the society.
• Enacted by a sovereign/government.
• Instrument of social control & justice.
• Enforced by way of sanction.
Functions of Law
Law performs the following functions:
• Social Control
• Social Resolution
• Social Justice
• Social Change
THE END
Thank you.
QR CODE 
BREAK FOR 5 MINS

QR CODE 