CHAPTER 3: Importance of Law.

CHAPTER 3: Importance of Law. 

a). Law as Means for Regulating Human Behavior.

• Law is a system of rules that is created and enforced through social or governmental institution to regulate human behavior. It shapes politics, economics, history and society in various ways and serves as a mediator of relations between people.
• Law is the cultural force which has that important social function of imposing, conducting and controlling patterns of human behavior.
• The sociology of law is aimed at studying human behavior in society.
• The laws are used as instrument to keep people away from evil or damaging human behavior.
• Members of the society may have different social values, various behaviors and interests. It is important to control those behaviors and to inculcate socially acceptable social norms among the members of the society.
• Law is one of the forms of formal social control to regulate human behavior. As to Roscoe Pound, law is a highly specialized form of social control in developed politically organized society.
• Laws function to suppress evil and bring about socially desired behavior through the punishment and reward.
• Law punishes deviant behavior.
• According to Dias “law consists largely of ought normative prepositions prescribing how people ought to behave.”
• Hans Keelson asserts that “Function of every social order is to bring about certain mutual behavior of individuals; to induce them to certain positive or negative behavior, to certain action or abstention from action.”

Conclusion: -

Therefore, the first purpose of law is to prevent humans from harming each other and breaching social norms. The law regulated humans by making mandatory to manifest socially acceptable behavior.

b) Law as a Guide for Settlements of Disputes

MEANING OF DISPUTE

Dispute is a disagreement between any two parties: whether individual or groups. Dispute generally occurs when people do not follow the same agenda, concepts, plans or beliefs. Incompatible interests, differing principles are the major source of dispute. When people live together, disputes are bound to happen. However, the most common forms of dispute concern.

money, property, employment, accidents, marriage-breakups and family separation. One of the major functions of law is to settle the disputes between people.

We perform various activities in a state. Conflicts occur in our day to life. If there was no law, these conflicts would lead to many causalities and damages of human lives, properties and create a situation of havoc in the society.

The idea of dispute settlement is very old. In our country, the notion of ‘panchayat’ or ‘a village council’ was to settle the various conflicts that occurred in the village. Influential men, acknowledged by the community were the head of panchayat.

As time progressed, the system of dispute settlement has been recognized by the state under the judiciary. Various acts, statues, principles and law are made keeping in mind about the conflicts that may arise. The guidance of law is very necessary in these situations because no-one can separate conflict from human civilization. Conflict will always remain in our society, our main focus should be to guide it towards management with least constrain possible.

Different methods of settling disputes

Dispute resolution is the process of resolving the cause of conflict between parties. The different methods of dispute resolution include:

1. Lawsuits: The proceeding by a party or parties against another in the civil court of law.
2. Arbitration: It is the way to resolve disputes outside the courts.

3. Collaborative law: Also known as collaborative practice, divorce or family law. It is a legal process enabling couples who have decided to separate or end their marriage to work with their lawyers and on occasion other family professionals in order to avoid the uncertainty of court litigation.

    

4. Mediation: It is a process in which the third party assists disputing parties in resolving conflict through the use of specialized communication and negotiation techniques.
5. Conciliation: It is the process whereby the parties to a dispute use a peacemaker, who meets with the parties both separately and together in an attempt to resolve their differences.
6. Negotiation: It is often conducted by putting forward a position and making concessions to achieve an agreement.
7. Facilitation: It is the process in which the facilitator engages in any activity that makes a social process easy or easier.

These disputes require the intervention from the legal field. The non-involvement of legal entities in these situation increases the risk of violation of various rights of the people. Not every dispute ends in a lawsuit, however even the alternate methods of dispute resolution are guided with the principle of lowering the damages to respective parties and provide justice.

c) Law as a Means of Change in the Society

Social Change

According to Britannica Encyclopedia, "Social change is the alteration of mechanisms within the social structure, characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social organizations, or value systems.

Social change refers to change in the structure and functioning of the social relationships of society. Social change is the modifications which occur in the life patterns of people.

Law & Social change

• Law has always been considered as one of the important instruments of affecting social change.
• Inequalities, discriminations etc. that are prevailing in the society are eradicated by the law. Law brings social change through the instrumentality of legislation, execution of executive and interpretation of the judiciary.

Importance of law in social change

• Law plays an important indirect role in regard to social change by shaping a direct impact on society. For example: A law setting up a compulsory educational system because of which the government is trying to provide free education to the students till secondary level as per the Article 31 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072.
• On the other hand, law interacts in many cases indirectly with basic social institutions in a manner constituting a direct relationship between law and social change. For example, a law designed to prohibit polygamy as per the Section 175 (1) of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074.
• The abolition of malpractices likes untouchability as per the Article 24 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 and according to the Section 160 (1) and (2) of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074, child marriage as per the Article 39 (5) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 and Section 173 of Muluki Criminal Code, 2074; Sati system which was abolished by Chandra Shumsher on 25th Asad 1977, Dowry as per the Section 174 of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074 etc are typical illustrations of social change being brought about in the country through laws.
• Law certainly has acted as a catalyst in the process of social transformation of people wherein the dilution of caste inequalities. Article 18 and 24 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072, protective measures for the weak and vulnerable sections, providing for the dignified existence of those living under unwholesome conditions etc as per the Article 18 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072. Are the illustrious examples in this regard.
• Law was the only tool that abolished the Chhaupadi Pratha that was prevalent in the far and mid- western areas of Nepal as per the decision made by the Supreme Court. (Dil Bahadur Bishwakarma v. HMG, 2005.)

•  Law addresses the needs of the society by respecting it and it also reflects the current status of the society. For Example, allowing male to file case for divorce directly to the Court as per the Section 94 of the Muluki Civil Code, 2074.
• Civil Rights Act 2012guided the Nepalese society to change from feudal structure to freedom-based society.
• States Cases Act 2017 guided the change of criminal justice system to Adversarial System.
• Land Reform Act 2012 helped to abolish feudal land system.
• As per the National Code, 2020 the life imprisonment was sentenced for 20 years but as per the Section 43 of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074 25 years of the imprisonment is sentenced. Moreover, as per the Muluki Criminal Code, Section 41 there is the provision of the lifelong imprisonment. There is also the provision of the alternative sentences as per the Section 40 of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074. etc. These are the social changes initiated by law.

Case Study:

Writ no. 8392 of the year 2050 B.S. 

Petitioner: Advocate Meera Kumari Dhungana

 Versus

Respondent: HMG Ministry of LAW, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Others

Case: Daughter's Property Right

 Fact of the case:

Article 11(2) of the constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 guarantees that no discriminatory treatment shall be made against any citizen in the application of general laws on ground, inter alias of sex.

However there reminded a provision in the Muluki Ain, 2020 that treated son and daughter differently in the context of obtaining parental property as legal heirs. No. 16 of the chapter on partition of property provides that an unmarried daughter having attained the age of 35 years is entitled to obtain property under partition as par with the son, and if she weds after obtaining the partition share, the property obtained by her, shall after deducting her marriage expenditure pursuant to law should be returned.

Decision of the case

The Supreme Court issued directive order in the name of government to introduce an appropriate bill to Parliament within 1 year of receipt of this order, by making necessary consultations with the recognized women's organizations, sociologists, the concerned social organizations and the lawyers as well and by studying and considering the legal provisions in this regard on other countries.

Here, the case thus paved a way to the 11th amendment of Muluki Ain and also a separate Article regarding women i.e. Art. 20, Right of Women in the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2063. As a result, the case is of immense importance in Nepalese society as it has ignited a spark of equality of men and women in an orthodox society like ours.

Here, the relationship between the law and the change in society has been well identified. It shows us that the law is the milestone to change the societal norms and values into legal frame which ultimately creates the situation where people have to adapt with a different circumstance.

d) Law as a safeguard for protecting interest of weaker section in the society

“Law is the king of kings with whose aid even the weaker may prevail over the stronger.” -Vedas

Nepal is popularly known for its unity in diversity. But the harsh social inequalities have given birth to weaker section in our society. Weaker Sections includes Women, Dalits, Madhesi, Muslim, Janajati, Children, economically backward people and people from backward class.

The different fundamental rights provided by the constitution in order to safeguard the interest of weaker section of society are: -

• Right to Freedom (17): It has played a vital role in protecting interest of people in the society as it prevails to freedom of opinions and expression.
• Right to Equality (18): Every citizen is treated equally facing no discrimination in the ground of origin, religion, race, caste, tribe, sex, disability, health condition, language, geographical region. There is special provision and reservations made by the law for the protection, empowerment or development of citizens including socially or culturally backward women, Dalit, Indigenous people, Madhesi, Tharu, Muslim, labors, senior citizens and many other oppressed class and backward communities.
• Right against Untouchability and Discrimination (24): No one shall be treated with any kind of discrimination. All kinds of discrimination are punishable by law. No person shall be discriminated for their caste, ethnicity, community, occupation or economic background.
• Right Relating to Education (31): Economically indigent and disable citizens have right to get free higher education in accordance to law. And every Nepalese community residing in Nepal shall have right to get education in its mother tongue.
• Right of Women (33): The constitution not only grants equality but also empowers women to education and politics. There is special provision by law for the protection, empowerment or advancement of the women lagging behind socially and culturally.
• Right of Children (39): No child shall be a subject to child marriage, illegal trafficking and kidnapping. We have human rights provided so that all are free and equal.
• Right of Dalit (40): The Dalit students have right to free education with scholarship from primary to higher education. There are special provision or reservation seats for Dalits in public service or other sectors of employment

• Right of Senior Citizens (41): Senior citizens have right to special protection and social security from the state.
• Right to Social Justice (42): The indigent citizens and citizens of the communities on the verge of extinction have right to get special opportunities and benefits in education, health, housing, employment, food and social security for their protection, upliftment, empowerment and development. The citizens with disabilities have the right to live with dignity and honor, with the identity of their diversity, and have equal access to public service and facilities.
• Right to Social Security (43): The indigent citizens, helpless citizens, helpless single women, citizens with disabilities, children, citizens who cannot take care of themselves and citizens belonging to the tribes on the verge of extinction shall have the right to social security in accordance with the law.

The above-mentioned fundamental rights can be enforced in the court of law if they are infringed by the state or anyone. The law not only provides these rights but also emphasizes the protection of them. Hence, in our society law has always played an important role in order to protect the interest of weaker section. People from weaker section of our nation are now capable to compete in today in this world with the help of reservation and protection of their rights provided by the government.

• The philosophy of reservation in fact envelops policies to safeguard the interests of historically disadvantaged classes of the people. It has a note of inter-generational justice a class is compensated for loss incurred by that class in earlier generation which resulted into present disadvantaged position. And on the basis of reservations for weaker class, people form difficult geographic structure etc. is provided in public employment, educational institutes, and legislatures at different level.
• Nepal Legal Aid Act, 2054 has guaranteed the right to equal justice and legal aid for those who are unable to protect their legal interests. There are panel of lawyers in every court to provide free legal aid to the indigent people.
• Access to Justice Commission ( Nyayma Pahuch Aayog) has been established in the Supreme Court as per Rule 13(e) of Supreme Court Regulations, 2049. This commission aims to enhance the access of the vulnerable section of the society in getting justice. Similarly, “Access to Justice Committee ( Nyayma Pahuch Samiti) ‘has been established in many other courts in order to protect the deserving interests of the weaker section of the society such as women, disabled etc.

• The Constitution of Nepal has established various commission such as National Women Commission, National Dalit Commission, National Inclusion Commission, Aadibasi Janjati Commission, Madhesi Commission, Tharu Commission & Muslim Commission for the development and prosperity of weaker section of the society.

   

e) Law as an Instrument Promoting Socio-Economic Justice in the Society

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Economic justice is a component of social justice and welfare economics. It is a set of moral and ethical principles for building economic institutions, where the ultimate goal is to create an opportunity for each person to establish a sufficient material foundation upon which to have a dignified, productive, and creative life.

Economic justice is the idea that the economy will be more successful if it is fairer.

The laws have contributed to achieve economic justice by system of progressive taxation, wherein the tax percentage increases as the base income amount increases. Nepalese taxation law has incorporated the same.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Social justice tends to focus more on just relations between groups within society as opposed to the justice of individual conduct or justice for individuals.

The idea of social justice is that all people should have equal access to wealth, health, well-being, justice, privileges, and opportunity regardless of their legal, political, economic, or other circumstances.

Interwoven and complementary, the term socio- economic justice stems from social justice and economic justice, which indicates social and economic progress and development of all human beings without any discrimination. 

Laws have incorporated socio-economic justice in the society in the following ways: -

• Nepalese Constitutional scheme for the realization of the socio-economic agenda comprises of both the justiciable Fundamental Rights as well as the non-justiciable Directive Principles. Socially and economically very poor and backward communities are granted with the special rights under heading of different fundamental rights.
• The socially and economically backward groups of people are forced to face discrimination of people of higher positions with power to exploit them for personal gains. Socio economic features come into play because the lesser the status of the person in the society, the higher the chance of being exploited. Therefore, inclusive laws with provisions related to equity rather equality is brought together.
• The law did bring noticeable reforms on the reservation system, which is a welcome change. This attempt has successfully helped many people from the minority groups to get into institutions which used to bar them entering because of their caste, gender or ethnicity.
• Socio economic are the two parts of a same coin. It helps in uplifting the unprivileged people. Law secures the right of the unprivileged and minorities.
• Nepalese law has spoken for a living wage of industrial workers, limited hours of labor and collective bargaining. It states the right of labor to form unions to protect their interests.
• Number of provisions regarding social welfare and uplift is incorporated by the laws.
• The preamble of Constitution has expressed the determination of Nepal to create an egalitarian society on the basis of proportional inclusion and participation, to ensure equitable economy and social justice.

• Nepal is a state party to International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), 1966. This has acknowledged Second generations of human rights.
• An example of economic justice institution is progressive taxation a system of taxation where in the base income amount increases. The goal of progressive taxation is to remedy income inequality and to provide funds for social service public infrastructure and education. Earned income credit affordable housing and need based federal financial aid for college students are other example of economy justice

f) Law as a means of framing systematic structure of society- means of social engineering

Man is a social animal and needs a society for his leaving, working, and enjoying life therefore, society and human life goes together. Every human is born with different desire, wants, expectation, etc. When expectation isn’t fulfilled then there occur crime between people and to guide that crime, dispute or problem there is the requirement of law.

SOCIAL ENGINEERING THEORY

According to Pound,” Law is social engineering which means a balance between the competing interest in society.” in which applied science are used for resolving individual and social problem. He has advocated that the study of law should be supplemented by social aspects and ensured that the making, interpretation and applications of law take account of social facts.

Pound classified various interests which are to be prepared by the law under three categories which are the following:

1. INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS/ PRIVATE INTEREST

• Individual interest of personality; it includes physical integrity, reputation etc. and are safeguarded by law of contract, tort, constitutional law, criminal law etc.
• Individual interest in domestic relation; it includes marriage, relation of husband and wife, parents and children.
• Interest of substance. It includes proprietary rights, occupational freedom etc.

2. PUBLIC INTEREST

• Interest in the preservation of state.
• Interest of state as the guardian of social interests such as administration of trust, charitable documents, protection of natural environment, territorial, waters, seashores, regulation of public employment and so on.

3. SOCIAL INTEREST

• Interest in the preservation of peace and order and maintaining general security interest.
• Preserving social institution like marriage and religious institution.
• Interest in conserving social resources, protection of economically weaker section of society.
• Interest which promotes human personality by enabling a person to live political physical, culture, social and economic life to suit his taste and improve his personality.

SOCIAL ENGINEERING IN NEPALEASE CONTEXT

1. JUDICIAL PRECEDENTS

The issues of social engineering have also been witnessed through the action of Supreme Court. The role of judiciary in addressing the social interests can be justified through above landmark decisions. Many precedents have been established by Supreme Court respecting the interests of the individuals. These all can be analyzed with result that Nepalese law is very progressive in context of recognizing social interest as legal interest.

NEPALESE LEGISLATIONS

Many Nepalese legislations are the ‘social legislation’. They have tried to remove inequalities and to benefit the whole community rather than a few individuals. 

      Constitution of Nepal

• This commitment directed towards notion of socialism is exactly the intention of constitution to recognize social interests.

  • The constitutional provisions relating to secularism aim at bringing about social integration and harmony in society. This has addressed the interest of minorities which were dominated over a period of time.

      Hrithik Yadav.