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

1. Legal Environment of Business - Module 1
MBA - MG University

2. Prepared By
Manu Melwin Joy
Assistant Professor
Ilahia School of Management Studies
Kerala, India.
Phone – 9744551114
Mail – manu_melwinjoy@yahoo.com
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Please seek permission to reproduce the same in public forms and presentations.

3. Contents
1. Definition of law.
2. Characteristics of law.
3. Sources of law.
4. Interpretation of law.
5. Classification of law.
6. Principles of natural justice.
7. History of Indian judicial system.
8. Structure of Indian judicial system.

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

5. Elements/Characteristics of law
This definition states that,
following elements should be
available in a law
– A body of rules.
– External acts of human being
governed by rules.
– A sovereign political authority
enforcing rules.

6. Sources of Law
English Law Judicial
Decisions
Customs
and usage
Indian
Statute
English
common Law
Equity Law Merchant Statute law

7. Interpretation of law
The process by which the
courts of law try to ascertain
or understand the meaning
of the legislation through the
wording of enactment is
technically called
interpretation.

8. Rules of interpretation
• Literal rule of interpretation.
• Golden rule of interpretation.
• Mischief rule of interpretation.
• Rule of “Ejusdem Generis”.

9. Classification of Laws
1. Pubic and Private Law.
2. Civil and Criminal Law.
3. National and International Law.
4. Statute and Common Law.
5. General and Special Law.
6. Natural and physical Law.

10. Introduction
• PNJ were derived from the
Romans who believed that
some legal principles were
“natural” or self evident
and did not require a
statutory basis.
• PNJ is embedded in Article
311 of the Constitution of
India.

11. Principles of Natural Justice
1. Rule against Bias
2. Rules for the fair
hearing.
3. Reasoned decision.

12. History
Maharajas - Hindu Laws
Mughal Emperors - Islam Laws + HL
British Empire – English Common Law + HL + IL
Present - Constitution

13. Indian Judicial System
• Supreme Courts
• High Courts
• Subordinate courts

14. 1. Definition of law.
2. Characteristics of law.
3. Sources of law.
4. Interpretation of law.
5. Classification of law.
6. Principles of natural justice.
7. History of Indian judicial system.
8. Structure of Indian judicial system.