Key Jurists and Contributions

2026-05-17

Exam Snapshot

Jurisprudence MCQs test the Jurist → Work → School of Thought association. Precision is key.

Core Concept

• Analytical School: Focuses on 'law as it is' (Bentham, Austin, Kelsen, Hart).
• Historical School: Focuses on 'law as custom/evolution' (Savigny, Maine).
• Sociological School: Focuses on 'law in society/social engineering' (Pound, Ehrlich).
• Natural Law School: Focuses on 'law as it ought to be/morality' (Aquinas, Locke, Fuller).

Nepal Law Anchors

• Rule of Law: Rooted in natural law principles.
• Codification: Modern Nepali codes (Muluki Codes 2074) follow the analytical/positivist tradition.

Confusable Terms

• Analytical vs. Natural Law: Analytical = What law is. Natural Law = What law ought to be.

MCQ Traps

• Command Theory: Often misattributed. John Austin is the primary architect.
• Volksgeist: Associated with Savigny (Historical School).

Example

Question: Who proposed the 'Grundnorm'?

Answer: Hans Kelsen (Analytical School).

Memory Hook

• Austin/Command: "Austin's orders."
• Savigny/History: "History is the spirit (Volksgeist)."

Quick Revision

• Bentham: Utilitarianism.
• Austin: Command Theory.
• Kelsen: Grundnorm.
• Hart: Rules (Primary/Secondary).
• Savigny: Volksgeist.
• Pound: Social Engineering.
• Holmes: Bad Man Theory.