introduction Flashcards
malaysian legal history
- before colonisation
- custom/islamic law > aboriginal legal system - during colonisation
- Portuguese/dutch > British - after colonisation
- merdeka > NOW-the future of Malaysian legal system
what is law
- understood as a gneral rule of conduct
what is law according to philosophers say
- John W. Salmond
- the body of principles recognized and applied by the state in the administration of justice - john auston
- a command set by a superior being to an inferior being and enforced by sanctions. the superior is the state and the inferior is the individual - thomas hobbes
- a precept of general rule found out by the reason, by which man is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his life, or take away. that means of preserving the same, and to omit that by which he thinks it may be preserved - article 160 of FC
the application of definition of law (austin)
case: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad v PP
nik nazmi nik ahmad v PP
- Nik Nazmi [2014]: CA held that s. 9(5) of the peaceful assembly
act is unconstitutional. Note:
CONTINUE - (1) s. 9(1) – the organisor of an assembly must give 10 days prior notice; √
- (2) s.9(5) – failure to give such a notice is a criminal offence punishable with fine of RM10,000. X
functions of law
- maintain social order
-protect public interests
-resolve disputes
-establishes the powers of the state
-promotes justice in a society
relationship between law and justice
- natural law theory
- takes into account morality and justice in making law, what is unjust should not bt e made legal
relationship between law and morality
Positivists: laws are rules made by the State; justice is irrelevant.
law and justice
Function of the law – to achieve justice
* Justice = what is right and wrong; fairness; equality? * Should law be made based on what is just?
* Some argue that laws that appear just will receive more respect from society and hence, can be easily enforced.
opinions of law and justive from scholars
- thomas jefferson
- it a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, but he is also obligated to do so - Mahatma Gandhi
- an unjust law is itself a species of violence. arrest for its breach is more so
3.saint augustine
- it seemed to me that an unjust law is no law at all
how to define justive? what is just to A may not necessarily be so for B?
Laws providing for preventive detention may seem unjust, but if the purpose is to protect the interests of society, should such laws be deemed unjust?
law and morality
Q: should the law be used as a tool to enforce morality?
* Naturalists believe that law should enforce morality or contain some moral elements.
* Positivists disagree.
* E.G. Law to prevent Muslims from entering beauty contest; laws against indecent behavior such as LGBT etc.
law and morality (hart)
Hart
- Law should not enforce morality
- Individuals should be free to do as they wish so long as their action does not harm others
law and morality (devlin)
Devlin
- Argued for the element of morality in law
- Over emphasis on individual freedom/autonomy will harm society
law and morality (JS Mill)
“It is desirable that in things which do not primarily concern others, individuality should assert itself.”
“…the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.”