"Law plays an important indirect role in regard to social change by shaping a direct impact on society. Law serves to preserve the interests of the majority such that everyone has equal opportunity at and access to resources. If everyone were to pursue their own self-interest certain people would be better off than others and or have greater advantage over others and completely dominate over them which would eventually lead to chaos. Law plays an agent of modernisation and social change. It is also an indicator of the nature of societal complexity and its attendant problems of integration. Further, the reinforcement of our belief in the age-old panchayat system, the abolition of the abhorable practices of untouchability, child marriage, sati, dowry are typical illustrations of social change being brought about in the country trough laws. Law is an effective medium or agency, instrumental in bringing about social change in the country or in any region in particular. Therefore, we rejuvenate our belief that law has been pivotal in introducing changes in the societal structure and relationships and continues to be so. Law certainly has acted as a catalyst in the process of social transformation of people wherein the dilution of caste inequalities, protective measures for the weak and vulnerable sections, providing for the dignified existence of those living under unwholesome conditions etc. are the illustrious examples in this regard.
The book introduces students to legal concepts, principles and procedures. These include sources of law, the legal profession, the purpose and role of the Constitution, and institutions such as parliament, the executive and courts.
The book is designed to provide students with an understanding of the structure of the legal system including the role of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches; the philosophical underpinnings of law; the history of law; the role of attorneys, law enforcement and other legal professionals; categories of law; litigation principles; and alternative dispute resolution.
The book seeks to place law in its social, economic, political, historical and philosophical context and thus not only to provide students with a knowledge of legal rules but also to help them to develop a critical understanding of the operation of those rules in society. The critical and analytical skills required by a lawyer are valuable in many other contexts. The book is therefore suitable not only for students who intend to seek entry into the legal professions but also for students intending to seek careers in many other areas, such as banking, management, economics and finance."
"Preface
Chapter 1 Nature and Functions of Law
1.1. Meaning of Law
1.2. Definition of Law
1.3. Basic Features of Law
1.4. Theories of Law
1.5. Function of Law
1.6. Relationship between Law and State
1.7. Difference between Legal Norms and Non-legal Norms
Chapter 2 Sources of Law
2.1 Meaning of the Term ‘Source’
2.2 Material Sources of Law
2.3 Religion as Source of Law
2.4 Formal Sources of Law
2.5 The Federal Constitution as Source of Ethiopian Laws
Chapter 3 Major Legal Systems in the World
3.1 Legal System
3.2 The Anglo-American Legal System (Common Law)
3.3 The Civil Law Legal System
3.4 Merits And Demerits of Case Law and Statutory Systems
Chapter 4 Classification of Laws
4.1 General introduction
4.2 Public and Private Law
4.3 International and National Law
4.4 Substantive and Procedural Law
Chapter 5 The Making of Laws
5.1 Steps in Law Making
5.2 Comparative Study of Law Making Process in Ethiopia
5.3 Civil and Criminal Law
Chapter 6 Hierarchy of Laws
6.1 Supremacy of the Constitution in the Hierarchy of Laws
6.2 Hierarchy of Laws under the Unitary Form of Ethiopia
6.3 The Hierarchy of Laws with in the Present Legal
Structure of Ethiopia
Chapter 7 Interpretation of Laws
7.1 Legal Interpretation
7.2 Types of Interpretation
7.3 Constitutional Interpretation
7.4 Rules/Techniques of Statutory Interpretation
Chapter 8 Repeal of Laws
8.1 General Concepts
8.2 Types of Repeal
8.3 Effects of Repeal
Chapter 9 Juridical Acts
9.1 Definition and Importance
9.2 Rules Common to all Types of Juridical Acts
9.3 Effects of Juridical Acts
Index"
Theo Moore is Professor of Legal Education at University of Bristol. His research interests lie in the intersection of public law and economic regulation with particular emphasis on issues relating to regulatory techniques and enforcement. Moore writes on various topics like tort, international law, human rights and development. He is also a former Member of the Board of Trustees of the Law & Society Association.
