Glanvill Williams in ‘Learning the Law’ opines that Law is the cement of the society in which synchronizes all the parts of society in harmonious way. The debate over the meaning of law has been going on over a long period of time. In the word of Thurman Arnold: “Obviously law can never be identified.
Much ink has been split in attempt to given an exact definition of the term law. According to Paton The term ‘Law’ may be defined from the point of view of the theologian, the historian, the sociologist, the Philosopher, the political scientist or the Lawyer.Even with Jurisprudence there are difference of approach. It has been called Dharma in Hindu Jurisprudence, hukum in Islamic Jurisprudence and Romans called it ‘jus’ and in Germany and France; it is called as “Rick” and “droit’ respectively.
Law may be defined firstly by its basis in nature,reason,religion,or ethics; Secondly by its source, in custom, precedent, or legislation; thirdly by its effect on the life of the society ; fourthly by the method of its formal expression or authoritative application; fifthly by the ends that it seeks to achieve. It has become a constant source of contention in the study of law.
Different jurist comprehend law from different angles. Hence,the meaning of law varies.
According to Austin,”Law if the aggregate of rules set by man as politically superior or sovereign to men as politically subject.
In other words,’Law is the command of the sovereign . It imposes a duty and is backed by a sanction. Command, duty, and sanction are the three elements of law.
Salmond defined law as”the body of principals recognized and applied by the state in the administration of justice.
Beside this Sir Henry Marine writes: The word Law has come down to us in close association with two notion, the notion of order and the notion of force.
Blackstone Writes: “Law in its most general and comprehensive sens signifies a rule of action and is applied indiscriminately to all kinds of actions whether animate, or inanimate, rational or irrational. Thus we say the law has been defined as a rule of human action.
according to Justinian;”Law is the king of all mortal and immortal affairs, which ought to be the chief, the ruler and the standard of what is just and unjust.
According to Hobbes; “Law is speech of him who by right commands some what to be done or omitted.
Hegel defined law as ” the abstract expression of the general will existing in and for itself.
So, from the idealistic definitions of law we can shortly understand or says that”Law is a binding custom or practice of a community; a rule or mode of conduct or action that is prescribed or formally recognized as binding by a supereme controlling authority or is made obligatory by a sanction (as an edict,decree,re script,order,ordnance,statute,resolution,rule, judicial decision or usage)made, recognized or enforced by the controlling authority.
Beside all of this we can know the definition of law from our constitution.The constitution of Bangladesh says that,”Law means any Act,Ordinance,Order,Rule,Regulation,By-Law,Notification or other legal instrument and any custom or usage,having the force of Law in Bangladesh.
So,as conclusion we can tell that new development in the society creates new problems. And Law is required to dell with those problems. In order to keep peace with society, the definition and scope of law must continue to change.The result is that a definition of law given a particular time can not remain valid for all times to come.
A definition which is considered satisfactory today, may be found narrow tomorrow.
BSMRSTU LAW STUDY 