Sociology of law (or legal sociology) is the systematic, theoretically grounded, empirical study of law as a set of social practices or as an aspect or field of social experience. As such, it draws on the whole range of traditions, methods, and theories associated generally with sociological inquiry.

The Nature of Sociology of Law

The nature of sociology of law (SL) depends on its relations with, on the one hand, sociology, and on the other, law, as knowledge fields. Both matters are, however, controversial.

Sociology of Law and Sociology

Regarding SL's relation with sociology, Reza Banakar and Max Travers state: “sociology of law can only develop as an empirical discipline if it engages with theoretical and methodological debates in mainstream sociology” (2002: 349). Other scholars also criticize SL, with ...

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