V.D. Mahajan’s Jurisprudence and Legal Theory

Justice K. Ramaswamy has described jurisprudence as “the eye of the law giving an insight into the environment of which it is the expression. It relates the law to the spirit of the time and makes it richer.” The study of jurisprudence started with the Romans. The Latin equivalent of ” jurisprudence” is jurisprudential which means either “knowledge of the law” or “skill in law”. There has been a shift during the last century and jurisprudence today is envisaged in an immeasurably broader and more sweeping sense than that in which Austin understood it. This new edition of V.D. Mahajan’s Jurisprudence dr Legal Theory has been accordingly revised, updated, and enlarged with a lot of Indian case law in order to offer the readers a broad perspective on the subject. This book is an excellent attempt to explain the legal concepts and the theories of law, including its sources, in simple and understandable language. The author has devoted separate chapters to all important topics, viz., nature & scope of jurisprudence, legislation, precedent, custom, legal rights and duties, ownership and possession, persons and liability, etc, and a new chapter on Feminist Movements. An in-depth study has been made on the nature, scope, classification, and sources of law, including the concept of sovereignty and the administration of justice. An exhaustive index and suggested readings, given separately at the end of each chapter add to the utility of the book.

Reviews

The author has been successful in achieving his aim of providing an elementary book in simple and understandable language. Index and the suggested readings, given separately at the end of each chapter, for further material on the topics discussed, add to its utility and supply additional food for study and thought about law and legal science.

– Review Projector

There is a dearth of writing by Indian authors on jurisprudence and legal theory. V.D. Mahajan’s book makes a valuable contribution to filling up this gap. While discussing each theory the author has authenticated the subject with reference to all important writers and theoreticians on each of them. The wide-ranging references on each topic are valuable for any further study on the subject.

– Cochin University Law Review

This is a unique book in legal literature from which the students are able to get all the materials connected to this subject. Different references and discussions on various legal theories including international theories are provided. This book will be very useful to the students of law, the library of the colleges, lawyers, and all others who are connected to this subject.

– Gujarat Law Reporter

The author of the book possesses analytical knowledge of the subject and hence the book is complete with a full critical analysis of the subject containing various views of the distinguished jurists arranged under appropriate heads on all the basic concepts which underline systems of law. This edition benefits from the timely reappraisal of materials and their strict relevance to the subject. Undoubtedly, this book will be useful for ready reference to the students of law and practitioners alike. On the whole, the book is worth studying for a complete understanding of the subject and hence it deserves a rightful place in the library of law.

– All India Reporter