The Boundaries of Meaning and the Formation of Law: Legal Concepts and Reasoning in the English, Arabic, and Chinese TraditionsDifferent legal systems share some basic developmental tendencies that are rooted in the historical evolution of language and culture. In this comparative history of English common law, Islamic law, and Chinese imperialist law Sharron Gu describes the formation of three diverse legal systems in terms of their unique linguistic environments. She argues that the characteristics of each language define the nature of the common, statute, administrative, and religious laws associated with it and set the boundaries for its legal imagination. |
Contents
The History of the Language and Transmission of Legal Concepts Concrete and Abstract Rights in Medieval England China and the Middle East | 3 |
Legal Language Reasoning and the Structure of Legislation The Authority of Words and the Words of Authority in English Chinese and Islamic Law | 107 |
Conclusion | 190 |
Notes | 193 |
Other editions - View all
The Boundaries of Meaning and the Formation of Law: Legal Concepts and ... Sharron Gu Limited preview - 2006 |
The Boundaries of Meaning and the Formation of Law: Legal Concepts and ... Sharron Gu No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
abstract according ambiguous ancient Arabic associated authority became believed binding Book boundaries Cambridge century changed Chinese claim clarified Code Common Law concept concrete conduct court created defined derived determined developed distinct divine Documents dynasty early English English Common Law established evidence example expanded expressed facts formal function given heaven History human ideas intent interpretation introduced Islamic law judge judgment judicial juristic justice king land language later Latin legal language legislation less levels linguistic lord Maitland meanings moral nature oath oral Origins Oxford particular parties period political practice principles procedure proof Prophet punishment Qur’an reasoning referred regarded relationship remained result ritual royal ruler rules sanction sense served social specific statutes structure Studies sunna Tang texts things tion tradition trans transformed truth University Press various witnesses words writs written