Law is a set of rules, standards,
customs or principles that everyone is supposed to abide by to live in harmony
with others in a specified area and breaking a law(s) follows certain sanctions, penalties or punishment.
Types
of laws
They are two types of laws which are scientific law and practical law this article focusses solely on practical law. However, it’s important to give a synopsis of what these types of laws are
|
Scientific law |
Practical law |
|
They naturally occurring They are independent
of our wishes Trying to break them
can cause a catastrophe For
example, Gravitational laws in physics |
They man-made They depend on our
wishes People break them
intentionally or unintentionally which results in sanctions For
example, Civil or Criminal laws |
The
Classifications of Law
The 1st classification
is on which form it is
Written
Law
It refers to those laws that are
formally enacted and framed in statutes or the constitution through legislation.
Unwritten
Law
it refers to those laws that are not enacted by legislatures nor framed in statutes but emanates from
customs, judicial decisions, etc.
The 2nd classification
is on who is involved
Civil
Law
It relates to issues that involve
individual(s) verse individual(s) and its purpose is to resolve the disputes
that arise between these individuals. For example, the case of Hakainde Hichilema
verses The Attorney General 2019.
Criminal
Law
It refers to the set of specific
laws that regulate what makes up a criminal offence and how the
state can punish those who commit these offences to protect the community. For
example, the case of Clifford Dimba verses the people.
The 3rd classification
is on what it pertains to
Public
Law
It relates to the state's affairs.
it includes the following
• Human rights: which is a fundamental entitlement
that every human being has simply because they are human.
• Constitutional law: which is a body of rules governing
the affairs of the judiciary, executive and legislature.
• Criminal law: which is the law governing the
implementation of exemplary penalties or punishments on offenders.
Private
Law
It relates to the individuals'
affairs. it includes:
•
Labour laws: which are a set of laws and regulations
that govern employments' terms and conditions
• Tort law: which deals with civil wrongs committed by an act or omission that causes harm or injury to another person.
• Contract law: which deals with legally binding agreements between individuals.
The 4th classification
is on which borders does it cover
International
law
They are a set of rules,
standards, customs or principles that regulate interactions between sovereign
states and other legally recognized international actors.
National
law
They are a set of rules,
standards, customs or principles that regulate interactions between sovereign
states and other legally recognized international actors.
The 5th classification is on the purpose it plays
Substantive Law
They are a collection of rules that
regulate how members of a society should act.
Procedural Law
They are a set of procedures for
drafting, administering, and enforcing substantive law.
Source
of law in Zambia
• The Constitution
• Customary Law
• Legislation (Act of parliament)
• Statutory instruments
• Judicial precedent
• Common-Law
• Authoritative texts
The
Characteristic of Effective Laws
• Laws
must be Comprehensive, not segregative.
• Laws
must regulate individuals' behaviors in society
• Almost everyone must easily comprehend Laws
• Laws
must promote peace and justice
• Laws
must be accessible
• Laws
must be certain, not ambiguous
Careers
in law in Zambia
• Judge
• Attorney
• Lawyer
• Solicitor
• Barrister
• Public Prosecutor
• Paralegal
• Mediator
• Managing partner at law firm
• General counsel in organizations or
companies
• Legal Journalism
• Legal Counsel at Banks
• Legal Officer at Consultancy
companies
• Lecturer in Law Universities or
colleges
Adapter
from:
Bradford, A. and AHamer, A.
(2022) 'What is a law in science?', LiveScience. Available here
[Accessed 7 March 2022]
'Criminal Law' (2021) Justina.
Available here [Accessed 7 March
2022]
Unwritten Law, Dictionary.com.
Available here [Accessed 7 March 2022]
Constitutional Law, Wikipedia.
Available here [Accessed
13:00, 7 March 2022]
Jenks C.W and Schregle J. (2019) 'Labour
law', Encyclopaedia Britannica, Available here. [Accessed 7 March
2022]
Malcolm, S. (2019) 'international
law', Encyclopaedia Britannica, Available here. [Accessed 7
March 2022].
Magagula A.S (2009) ‘The Law and
Legal research in Zambia’, Hauser Global Law School Program Available here
[Accessed 7 March 2022].
Kunwar, S, (2021)10 Characteristics
of Law', Gyankovandar, Available here
[Accessed 7 March 2022]